Oven Tacos

Oven Tacos
2 lbs hamburger
1 small onion diced
1 small can diced green chilies
1 recipe for Homemade taco seasoning (below) or 3-4 T. Taco Seasoning
8 oz. tomato sauce 
16 oz. refried beans 
2 c. shredded reduced fat Colby-jack cheese 
18-20 hard taco shells 
Optional Condiments- Lettuce, Tomato, Salsa, Guacamole, Sour Cream 
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  
In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess liquid. Return to pan, add chilies, refried beans, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Mix well and cook for a few minutes if mixture seems runny. 
Spoon the taco meat mixture into the taco shells and place into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish (OR check out The Taco Rack), standing up. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell. Place into the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are heated through. 
Remove from the oven and top with any optional condiments for serving. 

Taco Seasoning
1 T. chili powder
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. onion powder
1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. paprika
1 1/2 t. ground cumin
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper
In a small bowl, mix all together. Store in an airtight container.
Enough seasoning for 2 lbs of meat with a little water mixed in. 

Baked Sweet & Sour Chicken

I found this on pinterest a few days ago.  It is almost the same as the Tiny Spicy Chicken!! 

Baked Sweet & Sour Chicken
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9x13 baking dish or coat with nonstick spray.
To make the sauce, whisk together sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic powder in a large bowl; set aside.
In a large bowl, season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste. Sir in cornstarch and gently toss to combine. Working one at a time, dip the chicken into the eggs.
Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; discard excess oil.
Add chicken to prepared baking dish. Top with sweet and sour sauce. Place into oven and bake until the sauce has thickened, about 55 minutes, turning over every 15 minutes to evenly coat the chicken.
Serve immediately.

Tiny Spicy Chicken

I talked to Sue tonight as we are planning our menu for our Sturgeon fishing trip.  She said she was doing Tiny Spicy Chicken.  I said I never heard of it....then I found this!  >>> If you aren't from Cache Valley, you may not know what tiny spicy chicken is ... it's a favorite at practically all the Chinese restaurants--  This is a GREAT copycat recipe.  I will have to see if this is the same recipe Sue has???

Baked Tiny Spicy Chicken
3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts,cut into 1.5-inch cubes
garlic salt
2 eggs, beaten
cornstarch
oil for frying

Sauce: 
2 t. Sambal chili paste
1 c. ketchup
dash salt
8 T. brown sugar
2 c. sugar
4 t. soy sauce
1 c. chicken broth
1 c. white vinegar

Sprinkle chicken with garlic salt and let sit for 1 hour in the refrigerator. After an hour, dip chicken into eggs and then into cornstarch. Fry chicken pieces until golden brown in oil that has been heated to 350 degrees. Place chicken in a greased 13 x 9 dish.

Mix sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until sugars are dissolved. Pour over chicken and bake uncovered at 325 degrees for one hour, turning chicken every 15 minutes.

Chocolate Mousse Crunch Cake with Ganache

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/03/chocolate-mousse-crunch-cake/

Chocolate Mousse Crunch Cake  by Our Best Bites

1 package Duncan Hines Devil’s Food Cake
1 recipe (give or take a little) Chocolate Ganache
Crushed Heath bars or a bag of chocolate-covered Heath bits
1 t. unflavored gelatin
1 T. cold water
2 T. boiling water (just heat it in a small bowl in your microwave)
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 c. whipping cream
1 t. vanilla

Bake cake according to cake mix instructions in 2 8″ round pans. Allow to cool and set aside. This can be done several days in advance; just freeze the cakes when you’re done.

In a small bowl, combine gelatin and cold water and allow to stand for about 1 minute. While gelatin is softening, bring 2 Tbsp. water to a boil in the microwave. Whisk into the softened gelatin and allow to cool slightly.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, whipping cream, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until medium-stiff peaks form. Mix in gelatin mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Prepare ganache.
Super Easy Chocolate Ganache  by Our Best Bites
8 oz. semi-sweet or dark chocolate
8 oz. heavy cream
Combine chocolate and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 2 minutes and stir. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes or until chocolate is fully melted and can be whisked and incorporated into the cream. Be sure and scrape the sides and bottom to make sure you don’t find any globby bits of chocolate when you start working with it.
The ganache will thicken as it cools, so if it’s a little too thin for you, hang tight and it will be ready pretty quickly. When it’s completely cool, it will be thick and fudgy and can be used like frosting. Store in an airtight container. You can reheat it to achieve your desired consistency.


With a serrated knife, carefully slice the dome-iest part of each cake layer off so the layers are level. Place one layer on the serving plate and spread about 1/2 of the chocolate mousse over the cake. Sprinkle with Heath bits.

Place second layer on top of Heath bits.

Spoon ganache over the top layer, allowing it to drip down the sides. Sprinkle with additional Heath bits and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake & Frosting

Our Best Bites  -   Don’t make the frosting until the cakes are cooled, and use the frosting as soon as it is ready. If the frosting gets too stiff to spread easily, wrap the mixer bowl with a towel soaked in hot water and mix on low until frosting is creamy and smooth. Refrigerated leftover cake should sit at room temperature before serving until the frosting softens.
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/05/old-fashioned-chocolate-layer-cake/

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake
3/4 c. butter, very soft, plus extra for greasing pans
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting pans
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, coarsley chopped
1/4 c. dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 c. hot water
1 3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 c. buttermilk
2 t. vanilla extract
4 large eggs, plus 2 large egg yolks
Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round by 2 inch high cake pans with butter; dust pans with flour and knock out excess. Combine chocolate, cocoa powder, and hot water in medium heatproof bowl; set bowl over saucepan containing 1 inch of simmering water and stir with rubber spatula until chocolate ins melted, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup sugar to chocolate and stir until glossy, 1-2 minutes. Remove bowl from heat and set aside to cool.

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Combine buttermilk and vanilla in small bowl. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whisk eggs and yolks on medium-low speed until combined, about 10 seconds. Add remaining 1 1/4 C sugar, increase speed to high, and whis until fluffy and lightened in color, 2-3 minutes. Replace whisk with paddle attachment. Add cooled chocolate mixture to egg/sugar mixture and mix on medium speed until thoroughly incorporated, 30-45 seconds, pausing to scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Add softened butter 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing about 10 seconds after each addition. Add about 1/3 of flour mixture; followed by half of buttermilk mixture mixing until incorporated after each addition (about 15 seconds.) Repeat using half of remaining flour mixture and all of remaining buttermilk mixture (batter may appear separated.) Scrape down sides of bowl and add remaining flour mixture; mix at medium low speed until batter is thoroughly combined, about 15 seconds. Remove bowl from mixer and fold batter once or twice with rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans; smooth batter to edges of pan with spatula.

Bake cakes until toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 25-30minutes. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes, then invert onto wire rack. Cool cakes to room temperature before frosting, 45-60 minutes.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Frosting
16 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (or 2 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips)
1/2 c.  butter
1/3 c. granulated sugar
2 T. corn syrup
2 t. vanilla extract
1/4 t. salt
1 1/4 c. cold heavy cream
Melt Chocolate in heatproof bowl set over a saucepan containing 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside. Meanwhile, heat butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted. Increase heat to medium; add sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt and stir with heatproof rubber spatula until sugar is dissolved, 4-5 minutes. Add melted chocolate, butter mixture, and cream to clean bowl of stand mixer and stir to thoroughly combine.
Place mixer bowl over ice bath and stir mixture constantly with rubber spatula until frosting is thick and just beginning to harden against sides of bowl, 1-2 minutes (frosting should be 70 degrees). Place bowl on stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until frosting is light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Stir with rubber spatula until completely smooth. *If you find after beating, your frosting is still too soft for your liking, try chilling in the fridge until it sets up a little more.

Hawaiian Cake & Cream Cheese Frosting

In March we had our Stake RS Birthday Event.  We had a great assortment of Birthday Cakes for dessert!! It was a fun event with some of the yummiest cakes ever!!!  This one was my favorite!!  So moist and delicious.  Carla White was kind enough to share her recipe with me.

Hawaiian Cake

Stir together:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp soda
Mix in:
2 eggs
20 oz. can of crushed pineapple
Stir in:
1 cup coconut
chopped walnuts
Pour batter into sprayed pans (a 9x13 or 2 8" rounds).   Bake 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 cube melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 cream cheese
1 lb powdered sugar

Strawberry Salad Dressing

It has been a long time since I have posted...our home fire has taken all my time and energy.    But it was nice to finally post a couple recipes yesterday.  The construction on our home has finally begun and most of my replacement lists have been turned in.  There is still much work ahead but maybe a short break or a little time to think about something else.  It has been a long 11 weeks!  Shortly after the fire, Janet brought me a salad with this yummy dressing on it.  It was so good with a super strawberry flavor, I just had to have the recipe.  Janet said she got the recipe from her daughter in law, Aryn.  This is especially great over fresh spinach and sliced strawberry salad.  I think I would throw in a tablespoon of poppy seeds in after blending it up and sprinkle the salad with sliced almonds.  Paula Deen adds a sliced cucumber to her salad greens, Janet added some mandarin oranges and I have also seen sliced red onions and craisins sprinkled in too.  Lots of possibilities!!

Strawberry Salad Dressing
1 c. olive or canola oil
1 c. sugar
6 lg. strawberries (fresh is best but frozen works)
1/2 t. black pepper
1 t. kosher salt or 3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. dried parsley
1/2 c. apple cider vinegar
Place all ingredients in blender and blend.  Refrigerate.

Magic Cake....3 flavors

The hardest thing you have to do, is make the batter (which is very thin), pour the batter in a 8 inch x 8 inch baking dish, place it in the oven and let the magic happen. After an hour you have a perfect 3 layer cake with the most delicious custard layer.         http://www.jocooks.com/bakery/cakes/magic-cake/


Magic Cake
4 eggs (separate yolks from whites) at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar
1 stick or ½ cup butter, melted
¾ cup of all purpose flour
2 cups milk lukewarm
powdered sugar for dusting cake

Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Grease a 8 inch x 8 inch baking dish.
Separate eggs and add the egg whites to a mixer and mix until egg whites are stiff. Place egg whites in a bowl and set aside.
Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until light. Add butter and vanilla extract and continue beating for another minute or two after which you can add the flour and mix it in until fully incorporated.
Slowly start adding the milk and beat until everything is well mixed together. Add the egg whites, a third at a time and gently fold them in using a spatula, repeat until all egg whites are folded in. Another variation to folding in the egg whites would be to add a third of the egg whites and gently whisk them in to the cake batter, then reverse the process and add a bit of the cake mixture to the egg whites and gently whisk in, repeat until all cake batter has been whisked in.
Pour batter into baking dish and bake for 40 to 70 minutes or until the top is lightly golden. The baking time could vary greatly depending on the oven, so take a peek at around 40 minutes and see how it looks.
Sprinkle some powdered sugar after cake has cooled.


Butterscotch Magic Cake
4 eggs (separate yolks from whites) at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick or ½ cup butter
¾ cup of all purpose flour
2 cups milk lukewarm
a pinch of salt (optional)
powdered sugar for dusting cake

Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Grease a 8 inch x 8 inch baking dish.
Start by heating the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted. Whisk continuously until it becomes golden brown and tiny dark brown flecks appear in the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat, whisk for another 30 seconds and strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Let cool to room temperature.
Separate eggs and add the egg whites to a mixer and mix until egg whites are stiff. Place egg whites in a bowl and set aside.
Beat the egg yolks with the brown sugar until light golden color. Add butter and vanilla extract and continue beating for another minute or two after which you can add the flour and mix it in until fully incorporated.
Slowly start adding the milk and beat until everything is well mixed together. The mixture will be very watery.
Add the egg whites, a third at a time and gently fold them in using a spatula, repeat until all egg whites are folded in. Another variation to folding in the egg whites would be to add a third of the egg whites and gently whisk them in to the cake batter, then reverse the process and add a bit of the cake mixture to the egg whites and gently whisk in, repeat until all cake batter has been whisked in.
Pour batter into baking dish and bake for 40 to 70 minutes or until the top is lightly golden. The baking time could vary greatly depending on the oven, so take a peek at around 40 minutes and see how it looks.
Sprinkle some powdered sugar after cake has cooled.


Chocolate Magic Cake
4 eggs, at room temperature and separated
1 tbsp water
¾ cup sugar
1 stick of butter, melted
6.5 tbsp all purpose flour
6 tbsp cocoa powder
2 cups milk, warmed up
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp vinegar

Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
Separate the eggs and add the egg yolks to the bowl of a mixer. Add a tbsp of water to the egg yolks and add the sugar. Beat this at high until eggs are light and creamy.
Add melted butter, vanilla extract and salt to mixer and continue beating until butter is fully incorporated and mixture is light and fluffy.
You can mix the cocoa and flour together and add to the mixing bowl in batches, 3 times should be enough. After each addition mix thoroughly.
Once flour and cocoa powder has been mixed in, add the milk a bit at a time and mix. The milk should be warm so not to cool the butter. Make sure the milk has been mixed in thoroughly, the mixture should be pretty liquidy, so don’t get scared.
Clean the mixing bowl and whisk attachment and make sure you dry it out. Add egg whites to mixing bowl and the vinegar and mix until egg whites are stiff.
Add a bit of the egg whites to the chocolate mixture and gently fold in. Next you’re going to reverse and add a bit of the chocolate mixture to the egg whites. This way it will be easier to mix everything together. Repeat until everything is well mixed and the mixture should be thin like a pancake batter.
Pour the batter in the prepared baking dish and bake for roughly 60 minutes or until done. The cake will still jiggle in the middle when you take it out, so that’s normal. Let it cool completely then cut into squares and serve.

Carmelized Frosting

Well I read an article about carmelizing butter, and I thought; that would probably make really good frosting.  Since I seem to be hung up on anything caramel I wanted to try it.   So I adapted Mom's decorator's icing into this....wonderful caramelized frosting!!!  I put it on a Spice Cake to take to Aunt Thelma for her birthday tomorrow!!

CARAMELIZED FROSTING
Place 1/2 c. butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir occasionally until it starts to bubble.  When it is bubbling really good lower the heat a little more.  Continue to cook and stir and watch really closely, until it turns golden brown and sends off a caramel aroma; that is when you know it is done.  Remove from heat.
Place in mixer bowl:
4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/3 c. cream or milk
2 t. vanilla
Pour caramelized butter over the top and turn on the mixer.  Beat well and add more milk or powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.

Corn & Cheese Chowder

This recipe came from the Horseshoe Bend Branch Relief Society Newsletter.  

Crock Pot Corn and Cheese Chowder

½ cup chopped onions                 1 ½ cup chopped celery                         1 ½ cup chopped carrots

¾ cup water                               1 (15 oz) can corn, drained                     1 (15 oz) can creamed corn

1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for garnish                             3 cup milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Place onions, carrots, celery, water, salt and pepper in crock pot.  Cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours.  Add both cans of corn, milk and cheese.  Cook on HIGH for 1 additional hour.  Turn down to LOW until ready to serve.  Garnish with extra cheese if desired.          

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!!!

Molded Cranberry Orange Salad

This recipe reminds me of Mom's Cranberry Relish.  I think it would be a good recipe to use up any leftovers.

Molded Cranberry Orange Salad 
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon plus 1 cup cold water,divided
1 cup boiling water
1 package (3 ounces) raspberry gelatin
1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, divided
2 medium apples, cut into wedges
1 medium navel orange, peeled
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Diamond of California Chopped Walnuts
1/2 cup finely chopped celery

In a large bowl, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1 tablespoon cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Add boiling water and raspberry gelatin; stir for 2 minutes to completely dissolve gelatin. Stir in remaining cold water.
Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until thickened.
Place 2-1/3 cups cranberries, apples and orange in a food processor; pulse until chopped. Transfer to a bowl; stir in sugar. Stir into thickened gelatin. Fold in the walnuts, celery and remaining whole cranberries.
Pour into a 10-in. fluted tube pan or 8-cup ring mold coated with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate overnight or until firm. Unmold onto a platter. Yield: 12 servings.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

BANANA PUDDING POKE CAKE
1 box yellow cake mix (& ingredients to make cake as directed on mix)
2 small boxes instant banana pudding
4 c milk
8 oz. whipped topping
20 vanilla wafers, crushed
sliced bananas -
Prepare cake in 9 x 13 pan according to directions on box. When golden, remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. When just slightly cooled, use the handle end of a wooden spoon to poke holes into the baked cake. Don't be skimpy,  make lots of holes & make them big enough for the pudding to seep into and go deep enough with the spoon that you hit the bottom of the pan.
Prepare pudding mixture. Combine 4 cups of milk and pudding mix; whisk until fully combined and there are no lumps.  Pour pudding mixture over entire cake before it starts to gets thick. Spread evenly, filling all holes.
Refrigerate for two hours or until set.
At serving time, top with sliced banana, whipped topping, and crushed vanilla wafers.

Healthy Banana Bread.....

This banana bread recipe uses honey and applesauce instead of sugar and oil. 

Healthy Banana Bread2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup honey
2 eggs, beaten
3 mashed overripe bananasIn a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together applesauce and honey. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into sprayed 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
Bake at 350 for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Banana Pudding

BANANA PUDDING FROM SCRATCH
1/2 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. milk
4 separated eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla flavor
1 box of Nilla Vanilla Wafers
4 med. ripe bananas

Mix flour, salt, and sugar; add milk slowly. Stir constantly over low heat until thickened. Stir and cook for about 15 minutes. Beat egg yolks in bowl and stir into mixture slowly stirring constantly. Cook about 5 more minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Line bottom of casserole dish with vanilla wafers, bananas (sliced) and custard mixture. Repeat layers, ending with custard on top. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add 1/4 cup sugar; whip until it peaks. Spread on top of custard and bake in oven at 450 degrees for about 5 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven and serve.

Comfort Breakfast Bake

Comfort Breakfast Bake (recipe from Rocking Lion & facebook)
5 eggs
1/4 cup milk
16 oz refrigerated breakfast biscuits (I used the Pillsbury flakey kind)
4 scallions (green onions, spring onions, whatever you prefer to call them)
1 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
If you’re into the meats – cooked center cut bacon or cooked sausage
11×17 pan, sprayed with cooking spray (Note: I think a 9×13 works better, but it might need to bake a little longer)
Mix your eggs and milk in a large bowl. Cut each biscuit (I’m all about scissors in the kitchen) into fours and add it to the bowl. I like to do this before I cook the bacon or cut up the scallions – give the biscuits some time to really soak in the eggs.
Cut up your scallions, shred your cheese, cook and break up your bacon (or sausage). Add everything to the bowl.
Mix it all up and pour into your pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes (make sure it isn't runny – mine this morning took 28 mins).

Turkey Treats....

Turkey Treats-- Dip Oreos in melted chocolate- Add eyes (Wilton Candy eyes) and candy corn for the nose with frosting. Place on chocolate frosted preztels.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake

I see a new recipe in the making.   I am going to double my "Karla's Pan Cookies" recipe, instead of buying cookie dough.  I will probably cut back on the filling recipe....this sounds good but a little too rich.  I will re-post when I have the details all worked out.  

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 (16.5-ounce) rolls refrigerator chocolate chip cookie dough
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until well mixed; set aside.

Slice cookie dough rolls into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange slices from one roll on bottom of a greased 9- x 13-inch glass baking dish; press together so there are no holes in dough. Spoon cream cheese mixture evenly over dough; top with remaining slices of cookie dough.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden and center is slightly firm.

Salad Dressings by Laura

Yesterday I went to help Laura Walker prepare to serve her Stake Conference guests.  These are the dressings she had me make for her.  They were yummy!!

Cilantro Lime Dressing
Make a batch of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing:
1 c. Mayonnaise
1 c. milk
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch mix
The add a big handful of cilantro & the juice of a fresh lime.
Blend in blender. Chill. Serve.

Poppy Seed Dressing
Place in Blender:
3/4 c. sugar
1 t. mustard (oops...I'm sure I added 1 T.)
1 t. salt
1/3 c. white vinegar
1 1/2 t. onion juice (grated Onion)
1 c. oil
Blend for 4 to 5 minutes, until thickened.  Stir in:
1 1/2 T. poppy seeds
Chill & Serve.

And then I made an original recipe of Hidden Valley Ranch....just because everyone loves that!!

Squash Soup

Squash Soup

6 cups (about 2 large squash) seeded 2-inch wide chunks butternut squash
Melted butter, for brushing
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus 1 teaspoon
1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, plus 1/2 teaspoon
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
4 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon minced ginger
4 ounces heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Brush the flesh of the squash with a little butter and season with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper. On a sheet pan lay the squash flesh side up. Roast at 400 for about 30 to 35 minutes or until the flesh is nice and soft.

Scoop the flesh from the skin into a pot and add the stock, honey, and ginger. Bring to a simmer and puree using a stick blender. Stir in the heavy cream and return to a low simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/squash-soup-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Tips.....add some onion, use less pepper, start with 1/2 the honey and add more to taste, may use milk instead of cream for a lighter version.

Crock Pot Caramel

Unopened can of sweetened condensed milk + 3 hours on low (completely submerged in water) in the crock pot + cool down in the fridge = Caramel! 

Princess Pie.....aka: Coconut Cream Pie

Princess Pie..... aka: Coconut Cream Pie
crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans - optional

Mix and pat in an 8x8 inch pan, bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until just beginning to turn golden. Do not over bake.

Layer two:
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipped topping

Beat together sugar and cream cheese. Fold in whipped topping. Spread on cooled crust.

Layer three:
1 small package coconut cream instant pudding
1 1/2 cups whole milk (any milk will do, but whole milk makes pudding so much tastier)

Mix until thickened. Spread over cream cheese mixture.

Top with remaining tub of whipped topping.

Toast 1 cup coconut. Sprinkle evenly on dessert. Refrigerate.

Boston Cream Cupcakes

BOSTON CREAM CUPCAKES

1 Yellow cake mix
1 (3.4 oz) box Vanilla instant pudding
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream

(NOTE: this pudding mixture tastes like pastry cream..it can be used as a filling for a fruit tart or other pastry calling for cream filling such as cream puffs.)

1.Make cupcakes/cake according to directions on box. Use your favorite yellow cake, ours is Duncan Hines. Let cool.

2. Mix together pudding, cream, powdered sugar, milk, and sour cream. Beat on medium speed until stuff peaks form. For cupcakes, cut each cupcake in half and add a dollop of filling. Put top back on cupcake and frost with ganache. I am making it as a whole cake, so the entire filling is going over one layer and the second layer of cake will be covered in the ganache

Ganache:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat cream in sauce pan until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat, pour over chocolate in a mixing bowl. Stir to mix together. Let cool slightly.

Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.

RECIPE courtesy of www.siixsistersstuff.com

Reindeer Cookies

These are similar to a cookie I have made a Christmas time.

Reindeer cookies
3/4 c. peanut butter
1 1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c. shortening
3 T. milk
1 T. vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 c. flour
3/4 t. baking soda
3/4 t. salt
Chocolate-covered mini pretzels
Mini brown M&Ms
Regular-sized red M&Ms
Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.
Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just beginning to brown.
Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer’s antlers. Press two mini brown M&Ms in for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose.
Allow to cool 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to cool completely.

Makes about 40 reindeer cookies. Yummy!!!

Grout Cleaner

Spring Cleaning Recipe for Grout
7 cups water
1/2 c. baking soda
1/3 c. lemon juice
1/4 c. vinegar 
Mix together and pour into a spray bottle and spray your floor, let it sit for a minute or two... then scrub.

Crock Pot Creamy Hot Chocolate

Crock Pot Creamy Hot Chocolate
1 1/2 c. heavy cream
14 oz.  can of sweetened condensed milk 
2 c. milk chocolate chips
6 c. milk
1 t. vanilla extract
Mix in crock pot and heat until melted together and ready to serve.

Turtle Cheesecake Ball

TURTLE CHEESECAKE BALL
8 oz. softened cream cheese 
1/4 c. butter (room temperature) 
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1-1/2 T. brown sugar
1/3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. mini semisweet choc chips
1/2 pk dry vanilla pudding mix
1/2 c. caramel topping plus little more for drizzling
.
Cream together, softened cream cheese & butter. .Add caramel topping and beat well.  Cream in brown sugar & powdered sugar.  Add vanilla & dry pudding mix. Fold in choc chips & pecans. Pat into a ball and refrigerate for one hour.  Place ball on serving platter, drizzle with caramel topping and serve with chocolate wafers, chocolate graham fingers, Nilla wafers or sliced apples.

Cherry Cream Cheese Bake

Cherry Cream Cheese Bake
1 can cherry pie filling
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 tube crescent rolls
1/2 stick of butter
2 T. vanilla
1/2 c. granulated sugar
Grease an 8 x 8 baking dish.  Take half of the crescent rolls and lay them out on the bottom of the baking dish.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, blend cream cheese until smooth.  Once smooth, add powdered sugar and vanilla and blend.  Once blended, spoon onto the crescent rolls in baking dish and spread evenly.  Top with can of cherry pie filling.  Top with the last half (4 triangles) of the crescent rolls.  Melt butter and pour on top of crescents.  Top with granulated sugar and bake at 375  for 25 minutes or until browned.

Crock Pot Mac & Cheese

the best part of this recipe is that you put the noodles in dry, uncooked!!! For me, dumping in the ingredients and starting the crock pot is the whole point!! 

Crock Pot Mac & Cheese 
Cooking oil spray
2 c.milk
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 egg
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 1/2 c. pre-shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 c. uncooked elbow macaroni

Spray the crock pot with cooking spray. In a mixing bowl whisk together milk, evaporated milk, egg, salt and pepper. Pour milk mixture into the crock pot. Add cheese and uncooked macaroni. Stir gently to mix.

Turn slow cooker on low and cook 3-4 hours, or until the custard is set and the macaroni is tender. (Do not cook more than 4 hours, or the sides will begin to dry out). Serve at once.

Tip: between the 3-4 hour mark on low, the edges start to get that crispy, cheesy edge. If you don't want that crispy edge only cook 3 hours.

Caramel Brownies

Rich chewy brownies full of gooey caramel, chocolate chips and nuts.

Caramel Brownies
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. cocoa
1 c. canola oil
4 Eggs
1/4 c. milk
1-1/2 c. flour
1 t.salt
1 t. baking powder
1 c. (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. chopped walnuts, divided
14 ounces caramels
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
In a large bowl, beat the sugar, cocoa, oil, eggs and milk. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder; gradually add to egg mixture until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips and 1/2 cup walnuts.
Spoon two-thirds of the batter into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat the caramels and condensed milk over low heat until caramels are melted. Pour over baked brownie layer. Sprinkle with remaining walnuts.
Drop remaining batter by teaspoonfuls over caramel layer; carefully swirl brownie batter with a knife.
Bake 35-40 minutes longer or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack.

Hot Chocolate......Candy Cane Marshmallows

hang these on the side of your mug filled with hot chocolate or enjoy them just as they are....

Candy cane marshmallows 
crushed candy canes
large marshmallows
mini candy canes
melted chocolate. 
Simply stick a mini candy cane into the large marshmallow. Dip the marshmallow into the melted chocolate, allow excess chocolate to drip off, then roll into the crushed candy cane. Place on a waxed paper lined baking sheet and allow to set. 

Breakfast Cupcakes

This is an easy & cute dish to prepare.   A great dish to serve on a buffet table, as each individual serving can be picked up and popped on a plate.

BREAKFAST CUPCAKES1 20 ounce package pre-shredded hash brown-style potatoes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons flour
1 small sweet onion, coarsely grated
2 thick slices deli ham, chopped into small bits (about 1 cup)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 dozen eggs, scrambled
chives for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F., and lightly spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Mix the first eight ingredients together in a large bowl. Spoon potato mixture into each prepared muffin cup until about 1/3 full. Gently press the potato mixture down in the middle and up the sides of each cup. Bake until golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. If the nests have puffed up too much in the center, scoop out a little with a teaspoon. Spoon a few tablespoons of scramble eggs into each nest and top with chives. 

Peanut Butter Microwave Fudge

Peanut Butter Microwave Fudge 1 lb. box Confectioners sugar 

2 T. butter 

1/3 C. milk 

1 C. peanut butter 

Place sugar, butter and milk in a large mixing bowl. Cook in the microwave 2 minutes on high. Take out, beat ingredients with hand mixer until combined. Microwave 30 seconds more, then add peanut butter and mix by hand or mixer until combined. Spread in foil lined 8x8 pan. Let cool then cut and ENJOY! 

Wendy's Chili

Masking this for the Ward Harvest/Halloween Party on Friday.  Supposedly the recipe they use at Wendy's restaurants.?

Wendy's Chili 
2 pounds fresh ground beef
1 quart tomato juice
1 (29-ounce) can tomato purée
1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained
1 medium-large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup diced celery
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
1/4 cup chili powder (use less for milder chili)
1 teaspoon ground cumin (use more for real flavor)
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain off the fat. Put the beef and the remaining ingredients in a 6-quart pot. Cover the pot and let the chili simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. You can also cook this in a slow cooker on low for 3 to 4 hours.

2 Minute Fudge....in the Microwave

2 MINUTE FUDGE
1 lb powdered sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Sift powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt into a 1 quart microwave safe bowl. Stir in milk and vanilla. Mix well. Place butter on top. Microwave on high, 2 minutes. Beat with wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in nuts (OPTIONAL).
Spread in 8 X 8 X 2 inch baking pan. Chill about 1 hour or until firm. Cut into pieces.

Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin

Tastes like Hash Brown Casserole without all the calories and carbs

Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
1 medium spaghetti squash
2 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion, cut in half and very thinly sliced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more if you like it spicy
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
½ cup sour cream
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds. Place in a covered dish with a ¼ inch of water and microwave for 10 -12 minutes. In a medium sized skillet over medium heat, add the butter, onions, red pepper and thyme and cook until the onions are slightly brown in color. Salt and pepper to taste.
Using a fork, scrape the insides of the squash and transfer to a small bowl. Combine the squash, onions, sour cream and half the cheese together and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a buttered baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
Place into a 375º for 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown on top.

Turtle Cookie Bars

Turtle Cookie Bars
Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2nd Layer
1 cup pecan halves or chopped pecans
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup milk chocolate morsels
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first 3 ingredients in a mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Pat mixture firmly into an ungreased 13x9 inch pan.

Arrange pecans over crust.

Combine 2/3 cup butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour mixture over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Remove from oven; sprinkle with chocolate morsels. Let stand 2-3 minutes or until slightly melted. Gently swirl chocolate with a knife, leaving some morsels whole (do not spread). Let cool on a wire rack at room temperature until chocolate is set. Cut into squares.

http://http://buff.ly/18VsSk9

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies      (Makes 1 dozen brownies)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon water
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

In a medium sized microwave-safe bowl combine sugar, softened butter, and water. Microwave on high for about 45 seconds or until butter is melted. Stir in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips until melted. Stir in egg and vanilla extract, mix well. Add flour and baking soda, stir until combined. Allow the batter to cool to room temperature (doesn't take very long). Then, stir in 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips and remaining 1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Spoon batter evenly into Reynolds Staybrite muffin cups.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into centre comes out slightly wet. After brownies are out of the oven, wait for centres to fall. This will happen upon cooling. If not then tap the centres with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole for the peanut butter.

Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds then stir. While brownies are still war spoon about a tablespoon full of peanut butter into the centre of each brownie. Top with remaining 1/3 cup of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Cool completely in pan.
Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator. To reheat the brownies just pop ‘em in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

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Snickers Fudge

Snickers Fudge
First Layer:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup peanut butter
Second Layer:
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped salted peanuts
Third Layer:
14 ounce package caramel cubes
1/4 cup heavy cream
Fourth Layer:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

First Layer Prep:
Lightly spray 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray.
Over medium heat, melt milk chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips in small saucepan.
Stir together until completely melted and smooth, then pour into the baking pan. Spread the mixture evenly with a spatula, then refrigerate until set.

Second Layer Prep:
Melt butter over medium-high heat in saucepan.
Add sugar and evaporated milk and bring to boil.
Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat and quickly mix in marshmallow creme, peanut butter, and vanilla.
Add peanuts to mixture and spread evenly over chocolate layer.
Refrigerate until set.

Third Layer Prep:
Melt caramels and heavy cream over low heat until smooth.
Pour over peanut mixture and refrigerate until set.

Fourth Layer Prep:
Repeat step one.
Melt chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter over low heat until smooth.
Pour over caramel layer and refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting.

Recipe Via: http://somewhere-in-the-middle.com/snickers-fudge/ — with Linda McCall.

Kiss Pies

Just in time for the Holidays!!
Kiss Pies
1 refrigerated pie crust, thawed or make your own
14 Hershey Kisses of choice, I used Mint Truffle today
1 egg white whisked with 1 Tbsp water
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out pie dough onto a lightly floured counter top. Place 10 kisses around the edges of pie dough, about 2 1/2 inches apart (as in the photo above). Take a knife and cut a 2 1/2-3 inch circle around kiss. Fold half of pie dough around top of dough and pinch edge around top of kiss. Now, fold up both sides of remaining dough up to the tip of the kiss pinching edge. Now press together edges and form criss cross as shown in photo, step 3. * *Continue cutting dough around kisses until all dough is used up.

 Brush all little pies with an egg white wash then sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake for 20-28 minutes or until little pies are golden. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Dust each with powdered sugar and serve.
about 14 little pies.
Pic/Recipe Source: http://picky-palate.com/2010/12/20/kiss-pies/
Click on above link for step-by-step pics and instruction.

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Brownie Mix

Never buy boxed brownie mix again! Follow the recipe below and make brownies for approximately .30 cents a mix!  So simple, so easy. Not just frugal but cuts out the unknown ingredients.

BROWNIE MIX
1 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Flour

1/3 Cup Cocoa

 1/4 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Baking Powder
At Baking Time Add: 

2 Eggs

1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 teaspoon Vanilla.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes in an 8x8 or 9x9 pan. OR use the amazing Pampered Chef brownie pan and bake it in much less time - depends on your oven, check after 12-15 minutes of baking and remove when brownies are done!

Put mix in plastic zip-lock bags or mason jars.

Oven Bake Fajitas

Oven Baked Fajitas
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

2 Tbsp vegetable oil 

2 tsp chili powder 

1 1/2 tsp cumin 

1/2 tsp garlic powder 

1/2 tsp dried oregano 

1/4 tsp seasoned salt 

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel) 

1 medium onion, sliced 

1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips 

1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken strips in a greased 13×9 baking dish. In a small bowl combine the oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt. Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and stir to coat. Next add the tomatoes, peppers, and onions to the dish and stir to combine. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.