Thanksgiving Jello

Thanksgiving Jello
Mix together:
1 large box Raspberry Jello
2 c. boiling water
Stir in:
6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
20 oz. pineapple (Partly drained), blended to puree
15.5 oz applesauce
Pour into 7 x 11 inch dish and chill until set.
Topping:
Beat Together:
1 small box vanilla pudding
1 c. milk
Fold in:
8 oz. whipped topping
Spread over the top of set Jello.

Found this online only they used Orange Jello and mandarin oranges instead of applesauce.  I think that way would be good too!

Sugar Cookies....rolled & pressed

Marcia called me at Halloween because she was needing to speed up her sugar cookie making process this year.   We talked and she actually did end up rolling and pressing her sugar cookies.  She said they turned out good and it was much faster.  So this recipe got my attention when it came across facebook.  I have adapted it a bit....but here it is.

Aunt Belle recently told me she thinks the secret to her sugar cookies is that she allows them to sit overnight in a sealed tupperware container before she frosts them!!  So after seeing the following recipe that makes even more sense.

Sugar Cookies...Rolled & Pressed
Cream together:
1 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. oil
1 1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. powdered sugar
2 T. water
2 eggs
Combine the following dry ingredients and slowly add to the creamed mixture.
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. cream of tarter
1 t. salt
5 1/2 c. flour
Mix well.  Dough should not be sticky.  Roll into a 1 inch ball and place on a cookie sheet.  Dip the bottom of a glass in sugar and press each ball of dough into a flat rough edged cookie.  Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.  Cool and place in the refrigerator.  Frost them at serving time.  The secret is to have the cookie cold and the frosting at room temperature when serving.  Keep cookies in a sealed container until served.

Sour Cream Frosting
Mix together:
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sour cream
2 lb. powdered sugar
1 t. salt
1/4 c. milk (more if needed for desired consistency)
Add coloring if desired.
Beat well.  Frost chilled cookies and serve.

Reeses peanut butter No bake bars

Reeses peanut butter No bake bars

1 cup salted butter (melted)
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 (11 oz) bag milk chocolate chips

1. Combine all ingredients, except chocolate chips in a medium sized bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
2. Pour peanut butter mixture into a 9 x 13 pan.
3. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (at 50% power) for 1-2 minutes. Stir chocolate and pour over the peanut butter mixture. Spread chocolate with a spatula. To even out chocolate, tap pan on the counter.
4. Refrigerate bars for one hour. Cut while bars are still cool. Enjoy

Apple Spice Muffins

Made these for our Stake Auxiliary Training Meeting tomorrow.  

Apple Spice Muffins

1 Spice cake mix, divided

21 oz. apple pie filling

2/3 c. flour

2 eggs, beaten

⅔ c. water

1 t. baking powder

⅓ c. butter

Mix together ½ cake mix, water, flour and baking powder.  Beat in the eggs until well blended.  Pour batter into 24 lined muffin cups.  Drop a spoonful of pie mix on top of the batter. 

In another mixing bowl, cut the butter into the remaining cake mix until it's crumbly.  Top the apple pie filling with some of the crumb mixture. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Cream Cheese Glaze

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

½ c. powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

2 T. heavy cream

3-4 T. milk

Beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Beat in the vanilla extract, whipping cream and gradually beat in the milk until the desired consistency is reached.

Allow the muffins to cool for 15-20 minutes and then drizzle with the cream cheese. 

Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup

I combined a couple recipes to come up with this.....it is a new favorite.  Short on time?  Cook it on the stove until potatoes are tender.  Then stir in cream cheese and simmer until serving time.

Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup
Place in Crock Pot:
30 oz. bag frozen diced hash browns or 8 c. diced, potatoes
1/3 c. onion, diced
1/2 c. celery, chopped
32 oz. chicken broth
10 oz. cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. bacon bits
1 c. freezer corn ( sometimes I add it sometimes I don't)
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 T. dried parsley
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. season salt
Cook on low for 8 hours or until potatoes are tender.  OR Cook it on the stove top.
An hour before serving, ADD:
8 oz. cream cheese, cut into cubes (Not the fat free kind)
Stir a few times during that last hour to completely dissolve the cream cheese.
At serving time top with grated cheese, chives and/or more bacon bits, if desired.

Sweet Breads......

Another old Relief Society Handout that I thought worth saving.....

COCONUT BREAD
Mix together:
1 c. oil
4 beaten eggs
2 c. sugar
2 t. coconut flavoring
Sift together:
3 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
Mix these 2 mixtures together while slowing adding:
1 c. buttermilk
Stir in:
1 c. coconut
Pour into 2 sprayed one pound loaf pans.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour.  DO NOT REMOVE FROM PAN, Glaze immediately upon removing from oven.  Cool for 4 hours in the pan and then remove.
GLAZE
1 c. sugar
2 T. butter
1/2 c. water
Boil for 5 minutes.  Add 1 t. coconut flavoring.  Pour over bread as soon as it comes out of the oven.

PUMPKIN BREAD
Cream together:
3 c. sugar
1 c. oil
Add:
4 eggs
1 lb. can pumpkin
Mix well.
Sift together:
3 1/2 c. flour
2 t. soda
2 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. allspice
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. cloves
Add dry ingredients to mixture alternately with 2/3 c. water.
Pour into 2 sprayed bread pans.  Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours.  Cool 10 minutes and remove from pans to finish cooling.

BERRY BANANA WALNUT BREAD
Mix together:
1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. soda
1/4 t. nutmeg
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 c. mashed raspberries or strawberries
1/2 c. mashed banana
1/4 c. oil
1 1/2 t. finely grated orange peel
1 c. chopped walnuts
Pour into sprayed 9 x 5 x 3 baking pan.  Bake at 350 for 60 to 70 minutes.

ZUCCHINI BREAD
Mix together:
3 eggs
2 c. sugar
1/4 t. vanilla
1 t. salt
1 T. cinnamon
1/2 c. nuts
1 c. oil
2 cups grated zucchini
3 c. flour
2 t. soda
1/4 t. baking powder
Bake at 375 for 1 hour.

BANANA NUT BREAD
Sift together and set aside:
4 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
Cream together:
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. sugar
Beat 2 eggs until light and fluffy and add to creamed mixture.
Beat in 1 1/2 c. mashed bananas.
Add dry ingredients alternating with 1/3 c. buttermilk.
Add 1 c. broken walnuts
Pour into 2 sprayed loaf pans.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Chicken Casserole

This recipe came from Susan Johnson, (Kasey's other Mother).  She shared it in Relief Society years ago.  I just found it in a box and decided I should save it here.

Chicken Casserole
4 to 6 Chicken Breasts, cooked & cubed
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
Mix together and place in a casserole dish.
Prepare a large box of stuffing according to box directions and spread over the soup and chicken mixture.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Snickers Salad

Yesterday we had a Stake Auxiliary Presidencies luncheon at Sheri Probst's home.  Meagan Garner brought this salad.  It was the hit of the day!!   YUMMY!  Call it salad, call it dessert, we ate it for both!!

Snickers Salad
1 small package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix

• 8 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 6 cups (4 large apples) chopped
• 4 Snickers candy bars (2.07 ounces each), cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Mix together the pudding mix and whipped topping. Fold in

• apples and candy bars. Refrigerate until serving. 

Veggie Chips

Well apparently the latest craze is veggie chips.  They are on the shelves of every grocery store these days. Since I have had an excess of zucchini and cucumbers lately I have been making my own dried veggie chips.  I think they are quite good!!

Zucchini Chips
Slice zucchini thinly and place on dryer trays.  Spray lightly with canola oil or olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt or garlic salt or whatever seasoning you prefer.  Dry until crisp.  (I am gonna sprinkle my next batch with powdered jello.)

Cucumber Chips
Slice cucumbers thinly and place on dryer trays.  Spritz with apple cider vinegar.  Sprinkle with salt and dill weed.  Dry until crisp.

Real Cheesecake

Kara asked me to make a real baked cheesecake for Justin's birthday.....this is what I came up with.  Hope he likes it.

Real Cheesecake

Cover outside of 11 inch springform pan with 2 layers of foil.

Mix together in springform pan and press firmly into bottom of pan.

1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs

1/4 c. sugar

1/3 c. melted butter

In mixer bowl beat until fluffy.

20 oz. cream cheese

Gradually beat in.

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

Add & mix well.

4 eggs

1/4 c. lemon juice

Pour over prepared graham cracker crust.

Fill a large deep jelly roll pan half full of water and place springform pan in the water.  Place in oven at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes or until set.  Cool for 1 hour.  Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Serve plain or with fruit sauce or pie filling.  

Zucchini-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Zucchini-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (from about 1 - 1 1/2 medium)
1 cup quick oats
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 2/3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment whip together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy. Mix in egg and vanilla extract. Add zucchini and with mixer set on low speed, slowly add in flour mixture. Stir in oats, walnuts and chocolate chips.  Shape dough into balls, 2 Tbsp each, on sprayed baking sheets.  Bake at 350 for 11 - 14 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen.

Recipe Source: adapted with slight changes from Nestle

Chicken & Rice Casserole

Chicken & Rice Casserole

1 package of boneless chicken (dark meat)

2 cups of rice

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can green beans

2 to 3 T butter to taste 

Cook the rice and mix it with the cream of chicken soup, butter and green beans in a big bowl. Place the chicken in a casserole dish. Pour rice mixture over the chicken and bake at 350 until chicken is fully cooked. 

Best Taco Casserole

A recipe shared by my friend Ellen Grunig...

Best Taco Casserole
1 pound ground turkey (or ground beef)
1 packet taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup water
1 can (16 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 can (16 oz.) pinto beans, drained & rinsed
2 cups tortilla chips or broken taco shells
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 green onions
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup lettuce, chopped:
Cook ground meat in skillet until browned. Drain. Add taco seasoning packet and water. Cook about 5 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Add diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add pinto beans. Cook uncovered another 5 - 10 minutes or until liquid from tomatoes is reduced.
In an ungreased 2-quart casserole dish, place broken tortilla chips or taco shells. Top with beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Microwave about 3 minutes to melt cheese.
Top with lettuce, green onions, and red bell pepper. Serve warm.

Caramel Microwave Popcorn

Years ago I gave this recipe to my friend, Sherri Walton.  She made it for our Family Home Evening Treat tonight and I got the recipe back.....

Caramel Microwave Popcorn
Place 4 quarts of popped popcorn in a large paper grocery sack.
1 cube butter
1/4 c. karo
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. salt
Microwave on High for 2 minutes. Stir.  Microwave 2 more minutes.
Add: 1/4 t. vanilla & 1/4 t. baking soda
Stir. Pour over popcorn in paper sack.  Shake.  Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.  Shake.  Microwave 1 1/2 minutes more.  Shake.  Microwave 30 seconds more.

Sweet Pulled Pork & more......Costa Vida Style

We are getting ready for the Atkinson Reunion this weekend.....Justin has agreed to take care of Pulled Pork for sandwiches on Saturday.  A few ideas for him....

Sweet Pulled Pork for a Crowd

Makes 100 4 oz servings or sandwiches; 12 hours
1 C Brown sugar
1/2 C Cocoa powder
6 Tbs Chili powder
4 Tbs Cumin
6 Tbs Salt
4 Tbs Black pepper
25 lbs Pork loin, boneless
5 cans Diced tomatoes (28 oz)
5 Onions, diced
100 sandwich buns
1 gallon BBQ sauce

Make rub, season loin
In a bowl mix together brown sugar, cocoa powder, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over and rub into loin with hands until loin is completely covered, set aside for 30 minutes and let marinate.

Sear loin, prepare cookers
In a large pan over medium-high heat sear loin in olive oil (1 or 2 at a time). Mix together tomato, onion in large roasters or crock pots.

Cook loin, shred
Place seared loin on top of vegetable mixture in slow roasters or slow cookers. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours. Remove lid and shred loin with a fork, then stir together meat, juices and vegetables.

Make sandwiches
Place a portion of pork on a sandwich bun 

Sweet Pork Barbacoa
2 pounds pork (I like to use the pork butt – my butcher concurs)
2 cans Coke (NOT diet)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 c. water
1 can diced green chiles
3/4 can enchilada sauce (I used Old El Paso)
1 c. brown sugar
Put the pork in a reclosable bag to marinate, pour in one of the cans of Coke and 1/2 c. brown sugar. Marinade for a few hours or overnight. (I’ve done both…they both work.)
Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of Coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours. Remove pork from crock pot, drain off liquid, shred pork. (I use twoforks because I’m too impatient to wait until it’s cool.)
Mix together (in a bowl or in the blender) other 1/2 can of Coke, can of chiles, enchilada sauce and brown sugar.
Put shredded pork back in the crock pot, cover with sauce, heat just until warmed through.

SWEET PORK
2 pounds pork (we like to use boneless pork ribs)
3 cans Coke (NOT diet)
1/4 c. brown sugar dash garlic salt
1/4 c. water 1 can diced green chilies
3/4 (1ooz) can red enchilada sauce (I used Old El Paso brand, medium spiciness)
1 c. brown sugar Put the pork in a heavy duty Ziploc bag to marinade.
Add about a can and a half of coke and about
1/4 c. of brown sugar.
Marinade for a few hours or overnight. Drain marinade and put pork,

1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don’t let it get TOO dry). Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. Shred pork. In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste..). If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little. Put shredded pork and sauce in crock pot and cook on low for 2 hours. That’s it!

CILANTRO-LIME RICE
1 c. uncooked rice
1 tsp. butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 can (15 oz) chicken broth 1 cup water
1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tsp. sugar
3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
In a saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, 1 tsp. lime, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice and mix in as you fluff the rice.

CILANTRO RANCH
1 packet TRADITIONAL Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not BUTTERMILK)
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. buttermilk
2 tomatillos, remove husk, diced (I boiled it)
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic juice of
1 lime
1 jalapeno (we like it SPICY so we kept the seeds in it, if you like it mild, just remove the seeds) Mix all ingredients together in the blender. That’s it!

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

5 lbs. red or yukon gold potatoes, cut into chunks (peeled or not)
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
2 cubes chicken bouillon
8 oz. container sour cream
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes, garlic and chicken bouillon cubes. Cook potatoes until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.

Mash potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, adding reserved cooking water to reach desired consistency. Transfer to a 4 quart crockpot, cover, and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. Just before serving, stir in butter and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Jewelry Cleaner

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil

Directions:
1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dish washing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4. According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

From Scratch Casserole

Maybe Steve would like this version of Tuna Casserole???  Especially if I leave out the word Tuna!!

From Scratch Casserole
1/2 cup butter, divided
1 (8 ounce) package uncooked medium egg noodles
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
salt and pepper to taste
2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained and flaked or cooked & shredded chicken
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
3 tablespoons bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter a medium baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
3. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the onion, celery, and garlic, and cook 5 minutes, until tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
4. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan, and whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk, and continue cooking 5 minutes, until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tuna, peas, vegetable mixture, and cooked noodles. Transfer to the baking dish. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl, mix with bread crumbs, and sprinkle over the casserole. Top with cheese.
5. Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper

Dinnertime since the fire is kinda haphazard......the other night Steve said, " I think you need to buy some hamburger helper." Maybe that is a clue as to just how bad dinnertime has really been. Since I didn't want to go buy a box of hamburger helper.....I came up with this......

Steve did love this and said, "You need to make this again, it is way better than the stuff in a box".

Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper
1 lb lean hamburger meat
1 pkg taco seasoning (2 T.)
1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies or petite diced tomatoes (I used 10 oz. salsa)
2 cups beef broth or water (I used 1 1/2 c.water & 1 T. Kitchen Bouquet)
1 cup elbow macaroni (I used 1 1/2 c.)
Brown and drain hamburger meat. Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel, beef broth, and macaroni. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and cover pan. Simmer 12-14 mins until macaroni is tender.

Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce….

2 Tablespoons butter
2 tbsp flour
3/4 cup milk (or cream)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking for 5 minutes until fragrant and light brown in color. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Whisk until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Add the salt and pepper to the cheese sauce. Pour the cheese sauce over the hamburger mixture. Stir gently to combine.

Spaghetti Pie

Spaghetti Pie
1/2 box spaghetti (about 9 oz)
2 tbsp butter
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup gruyere cheese grated or Parmesan
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 1/2 lbs of ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
1/2 red pepper chopped
1/2 yellow pepper chopped
1 can tomatoes (28 oz) drained and chopped
1 can tomato paste (6 oz)
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Brown ground beef with onions, garlic and peppers.
Add tomato paste and diced tomatoes, combine well.
Add sugar, oregano. Season with salt & pepper.

Prepare the spaghetti according to directions on box. (Don't overcook)
Drain and return to pot.
Mix in butter, eggs and gruyere cheese.
Grease 10" pie plate, put spaghetti mix into pie plate. This is your "crust"
Spread cottage cheese on top of spaghetti crust.
Spoon ground beef mixture on top of cottage cheese layer.
Bake uncovered for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Then top with mozzarella and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.