Sprague Family Food

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

2012-01-13T14:40:00.004-07:00

Ingredients
• 1 cup(s) chocolate wafer crumbs (about 20 wafers)
• 1 tablespoon(s) brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon(s) canola oil
• 24 ounce(s) 1% cottage cheese (3 cups)
• 12 ounce(s) reduced-fat cream cheese (1 1/2 cups), cut into pieces
• 1 cup(s) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup(s) cornstarch
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites
• 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 2 ounce(s) bittersweet (not unsweetened) chocolate, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) sugar mixed with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for garnish

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Put a kettle of water on to heat for the water bath. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap the outside bottom of the pan with a double thickness of foil.
2. To prepare crust: Blend crumbs, sugarand oil in a small bowl with a fork or your fingertips. Press into the bottom of the pan.
3. To prepare filling: Puree cottage cheese in a food processor until very smooth, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides. Add cream cheese, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa and cornstarch. Process until smooth. Add egg, egg whites, vanilla, salt and chocolate and blend well. Pour into the crust-lined pan.
4. Place the cheesecake in a roasting pan and pour in enough boiling water to come 1/2 inch up the side of the springform pan.
5. Bake the cheesecake until the edges are set but the center still jiggles, about 50 minutes. Turn off the oven. Spray a knife with cooking spray and run it around the edge of the pan. Let stand in the oven, with the door ajar, for 1 hour. Transfer from the water bath to a wire rack; remove foil. Let cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Refrigerate, uncovered, until chilled.
Garnish with Dark Chocolate Drops.

Jell-o Divinity

2011-12-20T19:58:00.013-07:00

(picture added by Cari - 12/2011)

It was originally call " Party Pink Divinity but I like green Jello and sometimes other flavors. The original called for cherry flavored gelatin.
3 cups Granulated Sugar
¾ cups light corn syrup
¾ cups water
¼ teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
½ 3oz. package Favorite flavored gelatin
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
¾ cup flaked coconut, tinted it the color of the Jell-o (optional)*

Combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt in a buttered heavy 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, till mixture boils. Then cook without stirring to hard-ball stage (250°). Remove from heat.
Beat egg whites in large bowl of mixer till soft peaks form. Gradually add gelatin, beating till stiff peaks form. Slowly pour in syrup, beating constantly at high speed. Continue beating till mixture begins to lose its gloss. Stir in chopped nuts. Drop from teaspoon onto waxed paper or into small paper muffin liners. Sprinkle with tinted coconut. It makes about 2 pounds or 4 dozen medium-sized pieces of candy.

*Place coconut in a glass jar with lid or a zip lock baggy, add a few drops of food coloring: shake till colored

Homemade Noodles

2011-11-02T12:04:00.004-06:00

3 cups flour
2 eggs or 4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon salt
7 to 8 tablespoons cold water

Mix flour and salt in medium bowl.
Make a well in the center. Add egg and 4 tablespoons water
Beat until well combined.
Gradually add 3 more tablespoons water, mixing well with hands.
Dough will be stiff; but if it seems too stiff to knead, gradually add more water.
On lightly floured surface, knead dough until smooth and elastic – about 5 minutes. Cover with bowl and let rest 30 minutes.
Divide dough into 4 parts. Keep covered with bowl until ready to roll out.
Roll each part into a 16-by-14 inch rectangle. Dough will be about 1/6 inch thick. Rectangle need not be perfect in shape. Work quickly, as dough will dry out.
Starting with long side, roll loosely, as for jelly roll. With thin, sharp knife, cut roll into 1/8th inch wide strips for broad noodles. Arrange on ungreased cookie sheets. Let dry overnight before cooking.

Parmesan-Pepper Bread

2011-09-20T08:50:00.004-06:00

1 Cup Water
1 Tbs. Olive oil
3 1/4 cup Flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp freshly ground black or green peppercorns
1 3/4 teaspoon yeast

Add yeast to luke warm water, sugar and salt. let stand until yeast has softened.
Add oil and set aside.
combine four, cheese and pepper in large bowl.
add yeast water to flour mixture and knead until all flour is absorbed and dough forms a soft ball.
Let rise until double in bulk.
Knead down and form into loaf. Let rise until double.
Cook at 350 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Banana Blueberry Pancakes

2011-05-13T12:37:00.002-06:00

Best pancakes HANDS DOWN! I made these this morning with our over ripe bananas and some blueberries that I froze and then defrosted...(bad idea, they turned crazy mushy!) I made Boston a Mickey Mouse pancake and made a face with chocolate chips on it...It was delicious with the chocolate...I might just add them in the batter next time I make them. I didn't have any whole wheat flour so I just used all white flour. I bet it would taste SO good with the wheat though!

Banana Blueberry Pancakes

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1-1/4 cups fat-free milk
3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Maple syrup, optional

In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine the egg, milk, bananas and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot griddle coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with blueberries. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until second side is golden brown. Serve with syrup if desired.

Yield: 14 pancakes.

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

2011-05-13T12:34:00.002-06:00

I pulled this recipe from a recipe blog...I can't remember what one now. But it looked so good! I made it for our Anniversary dinner and it didn't disappoint! SO GOOD!

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

About 8 oz. lean bacon, NOT thick-sliced (thick bacon is too hard to work with in this recipe)

1 large can pineapple chunks (you won’t use all of them)

Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste and Glaze

Kebab skewers or toothpicks

Now…the easiest way to handle the bacon situation is to remove it from the package and while it’s still all stuck together, stretch it out a little (lengthwise).

Using kitchen shears, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can gauge about how many pieces you’ll need by how many pieces of bacon you have; you probably won’t use all the bacon, but you’ll need about 8 oz. or 2/3 of a standard-sized package of bacon. So count the bacon pieces and keep that in mind when cutting up your chicken.

Drain the pineapple and set up a little work station with skewers, bacon, chicken, and a 9×13 baking dish (for big skewers) or a sturdy Ziploc bag (for toothpick skewers). Wrap a piece of bacon around a chicken piece, secure with toothpick/skewer, and top with a chunk of pineapple. Repeat twice if using large skewers. When all chicken pieces have been sufficiently staked, pour Teriyaki sauce over everything, reserving about 1/4 c., and marinate in refrigerator for at least 4 hours, no longer than about 8.

Preheat grill**; when about 350-400 degrees, place skewers on grill and baste with reserved Teriyaki sauce. Cook about 7 minutes and flip skewers. Baste again and cook another 7 minutes.

*If serving at a party, you can keep the appetizer-sized skewers warm in a crockpot set to low or an electric roaster set to 170 degrees.

**If cooking in oven, preheat oven to 400 and bake about 20 minutes, turning once, following the same basting instructions.

Honey-Lime Grilled Salmon

2011-03-28T11:06:00.004-06:00

2 minced green onions
¼ cup Honey
2 Limes (juice only)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 Salmon Fillets (6 oz. each)
In a bowl, combine the green onions, honey lime juice, garlic, soy sauce, and pepper.
Place the fish in a shallow glass baking dish.
Pour the marinade over the fish fillets.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the grill to medium high.
Grill over medium heat, allowing 10 minutes per inch of thickness, or until the fish starts to flake and appears opaque. Put not translucent.
Enjoy!

Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups

2011-02-23T17:08:00.002-07:00

Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups

Cooking spray
1 egg
1 piece of whole wheat bread
1 piece of lean bacon
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat the Pyrex custard cup with cooking spray.

Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat for a minute on each side to get rid of some of the grease.

Take a rolling pin and roll out the piece of bread until thin. Turn the Pyrex custard cup over and use it to cut the crust away from the bread. Slice the bread round in half then press the halves into the cup overlapping the pieces. Use extra bread to patch any holes.

Place the bacon slice in the cup then crack an egg over the bacon. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

Place on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the whites are cooked but the yolk is still soft. Remove from the oven, run a knife around the edges of the toast and serve immediately. Enjoy.

**I forgot to spray the custard cups and had a really hard time getting them out..I also over cooked the eggs so they weren't dippy. If it is executed properly :) It would be delicious! I would also cook the bacon until it is pretty much done but not crisp before putting it in the bread bowl. This is a really fun meal to make that makes you look pretty snazzy! :)

Lime Slush

2011-02-17T14:05:00.003-07:00

3 cups sugar
3 cups water
2 12oz cans of Lime aid
4 cans water
5 cups water
4 qt. Sprite

Bring the 3 cups of sugar and 3 cups of water to a boil.
Add the cans of lime aid and the rest of the water. stir to mix and freeze.
Remove from freezer 45 minutes before serving.
With knife or forks chop up the frozen mixture. Put half of the slush in punch bowl and add 2 qt. of sprite.

Baked French Toast

2011-02-02T16:11:00.003-07:00

Here is another incredible recipe I found at food.com (formerly recipezaar.com). Original recipe found here. I've been wanting to try a baked french toast for so long! Jason bought these little baguette slices and we had a ton left over, so I decided to use them. It was delicious. Everyone loved it.

Ingredients:

6 slices bread (any kind you like)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Spray 13x9" baking pan (or line with parchment paper).
Arrange bread slices to fit in a single layer and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Beat eggs with milk, syrup, melted butter and vanilla until just blended.
Pour evenly over bread.
Bake immediately or cover and refrigerate up to overnight.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until firm to the touch.
Serve with fruit and additional syrup if desired.

Hasselback Potatoes

2011-01-27T00:31:00.004-07:00

I first saw this method of cooking potatoes on the Rachael Ray show. Then I saw them on this blog that I follow and decided to give them a try. They look so fun, don't they? They were really tasty too! You should try it! Really!

Ingredients:

4 russet potatoes
4 garlic cloves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
coarse sea salt
3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Thinly slice garlic cloves. Set aside.

Rinse and scrub potatoes well. We’re keeping the skin on so it’s gotta be clean.

Slice a thin layer off of the bottom of the potatoes. This will give them a solid base to rest on to get sliced. Slice into the potatoes but not completely through them. Slice potatoes, creating very thin rounds connected at a base. Slide garlic slices in between potato slices. You might actually need to shove them in… the potato might be pretty tight. Just be careful not to tear the bottom.

Place potatoes on a baking sheet. Generously sprinkle potatoes with salt. Top each potato with one tablespoon of butter. Drizzle with oil. Bake for 1 hour or until tender on the inside and crisp on the outside. Remove the pan about every 15 minutes to baste potatoes in the oil and butter on the pan. This will make the skin crispy and delicious and the potato extra buttery.

When cooked through and crispy, remove from the oven, cool for 10 minutes.

Pork Chops with Lime, Cilantro and Garlic

2011-01-27T00:11:00.004-07:00

So I bought a bunch of cilantro specifically for Gina's Cilantro Lime Rice (see below), but I still had/have a ton left over so I decided to look up some other recipes that call for cilantro and try to use as much as possible before it goes bad on me.

I made these pork chops tonight and they were incredible!

Ingredients:

1 cup mayonaise
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried chipotle powder (I didn't have this, so I used chili powder)
8 pork chops

Directions:

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

Blend the first 5 ingredients, cover and place in the fridge for an hour or longer.

Reserve 1/2 cup of mayo blend. Grill or BBQ (I pan-fried mine with a little olive oil) brushing the chops with the mayo blend, continue brushing and cooking until the chops are done, turning them halfway through (apprx 15 minutes total).

Serve with the reseved mayo mixture on the side.

Cilantro Lime Rice

2011-01-26T23:58:00.004-07:00

Holy Moly. I found this recipe on a blog a while back and knew I would have to try it. It sounded so yummy. I made it on Monday and it was, indeed, delicious. So light and fresh tasting. And healthy too. I got it from Gina's Skinny Recipes. I didn't take a picture because we had the missionaries over for dinner. I thought they might think I was crazy. Maybe I'll get a picture next time I make it. Oh yes, there will be a next time! Maybe even tomorrow night!

Thank you Gina! (whoever/wherever you are!)

Chipotle's "Skinny" Cilantro Lime Rice
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

1 cup extra long grain rice or basmati rice
1/2 lime, juice of
2 cups water
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
4 tsp vegetable oil

In a small heavy pot, add rice, water, 1 tsp oil and salt. Boil on high until most of the water evaporates. When the water just skims the top of the rice, reduce to low and cover about 15 minutes. Shut off flame and keep covered an additional 5 minute.

In a medium bowl, combine chopped cilantro, lime juice, rice and remaining oil and toss until completely mixed.

Home Style Dressing mix

2011-01-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Most people love Ranch style salad dressing. If you are one of these people you will love this.

2 teaspoons instant minced onion 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon parsley flakes.

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until evenly distributed. Put mixture in an air tight container until ready to make the dressing.

Home Style Dressing

2011-01-22T12:34:00.002-07:00

If you are on a diet and want to substitute use the light or no fat mayonnaise and skim milk with a teaspoon of lemon in it for the buttermilk.

1 recipe Home Style Salad Dressing Mix
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 Cup Buttermilk
Combine ingredients in a glass jar. Shake until well blended. Chill before serving.
Makes about 2 cups.
Variation
Substitute 1 cup sour cream for buttermilk and use as a dip for fresh vegetables

Monkey (ginger) Bread

2010-12-30T12:11:00.003-07:00

(Not the greatest picture, but believe me! It was so delicious! Perfect Christmas breakfast!)

Monkey (Ginger) Bread

From Food52.com

Serves 8

* 1 packet active dry yeast

* pinch sugar

* 1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees)

* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

* 1 cup whole milk

* 1/4 cup molasses

* 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour

* 2 teaspoons kosher salt

* 2 teaspoons ground ginger

* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

* 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

* 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

* 1/4 cup all purpose flour (if needed)

* 2 tablespoons butter, softened

* 1 stick butter, melted

* 1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1. In a small bowl, combine yeast and a pinch of sugar with the warm water. Set aside to sit for 10 minutes, until foamy.

2. In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons butter, milk, and molasses and heat until the butter is melted. Set aside to cool briefly.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg with a whisk or spoon.

4. Attach the dough hook and turn the mixer to low speed. Slowly add the molasses mixture and then the yeast mixture. After the dough comes together mix for 7 minutes, or until smooth. The dough will be sticky (it should stick to the bottom of the bowl), but if it seems too wet add up to 1/4 cup additional flour, one tablespoon at a time.

5. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead by hand for an additional minute to form a smooth ball. Lightly oil a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat in oil. Cover with plastic wrap and put it in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.

6. Butter the bundt pan with 2 tablespoons softened butter. Put the melted stick of butter in one small bowl, and the brown sugar in another.

7. When the dough has risen, transfer to a lightly floured surface and gently pat into an 8-inch square. Cut dough into 64 pieces and roll the pieces into balls. One at a time, dip the balls in butter, then roll in brown sugar, and place in the bundt pan, making all attempts to distribute the balls evenly.

8. Cover the bundt pan with plastic wrap, place in a warm spot, and allow to rise for 1 more hour. (Or you could be a gambler and refrigerate the dough overnight, and then let it come to room temperature in the morning just before baking for breakfast). The balls should be puffy and about an inch below the top of the pan.

9. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool in pan for 5 minutes (but no longer!). Invert onto a cake stand and cool for another 5-10 minutes. Devour!

Variation:

You can get this ready in the evening and bake it in the morning, either by leaving it out in a cool room overnight for the second rise, or completing steps 1-7 as written the night before, covering the bundt pan with with plastic wrap, and putting it in the fridge overnight. Take it out of the fridge in the morning and let it sit for an hour (it should rise just a bit more) and then baked, following the directions in step 9.

ReNee's Salsa

2010-10-08T16:09:00.004-06:00

It is named this because I couldn't come up with anything more creative.
OK, you have to be somewhat of a cook to do this. I once had a chef say to me "A real cook doesn't use measurements. You know a dash of this a pinch of that and taste it and if it needs a little of this or that then add it."
So here goes.

Take some tomatoes I use about 6, Roma's are the best but others will do.
Add about 3 green onions, if you don't have green onions then use what you have (red onions are good).
Put in some Cilantro, I clip some of the bunch that I get at the produce and add more if I need to.
Add Lime juice to taste,
Add salt (be careful you don't want to add too much)
A little garlic powder or garlic salt (I have even used fresh on occasion)
Put all of this through a Chopper of some kind. I got one from my daughter, Cheryl, and it works really good, before that I use a blender but you have to be careful that you don't turn it into a drink). The chopper is better.
I add a little Tabasco to spice it up sometimes, and Habanero sauce, I understand is good, but it is too Hot for me. So there you go. Grab some chips or make some (if you don't know how let me know and I will add that recipe.) Take care and have fun!

Sausage Cheese Balls

2010-10-06T19:14:00.003-06:00

These are so good. I made 10 batches of these for a two day music performance. Everyone raved about them. Then I made a batch to take on the road when we went on a family vacation. They have been a favorite at parties for years. So try them and let me know what you think.

1-1/2 cup Quick Mix (Bisquick) 1 lb. lean ground pork Sausage
1 lb. grated Cheddar Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 F . combine ingredients until dough sticks together. roll into 1-1/21 inch balls. Bake for about 25 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm on toothpicks. Makes about 75 appetizers.

Note: You can half the recipe for a small gathering

Quick Mix

2010-10-06T18:48:00.001-06:00

Sometimes we have the ingredients to something we use a lot but we don't have the easy boxed thing. I know it doesn't make much sense but...... Remember when you would get up and make pancakes out of Bisquick for Sunday breakfast or Baking Powder Biscuits to go with eggs hash browns and sausage. Well, here is the stuff Bisquick is made out of. You can make your own you know.

8-1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder 1-1/2 cups instant nonfat dry milk
1Tablespoon salt 2-1/4 cups vegetable shortening
2 Tablespoons cream of tarter

In large bowl, sift together all dry ingredients. Blend well. With pastry blender, Cut in shortening until evenly distributed. Mixture will resemble cornmeal in texture. Put in a large airtight container, Label. Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 10 to 12 weeks Makes about 13 cups of Quick Mix.

Beef Stroganoff (Crock Pot Style)

2010-09-21T22:20:00.003-06:00

We all know how much I love my crock pot, right? It's coming in especially handy late in this pregnancy. Easy peasy meals coming from my kitchen!

Another one of my favorite things is Beef Stroganoff. And this recipe couldn't be easier!

Beef Stroganoff

1 lb beef stew meat
2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup (I used reduced fat and couldn't even tell the difference!)
2 cubes of beef bullion
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:
Dump it all in the crock pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (the longer it cooks, the more tender the meat will be). Serve over egg noodles.

Chocolate Cupcake

2010-04-20T16:25:00.002-06:00

½ cup cocoa
1 cup hot water
1 2/3 cups Flour
1 ½ cups sugar
½ tsp. baking powder
1tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
½ cup soft shortening
2 eggs

Heat oven to 400. Line 24 medium muffin cups with paper baking cups. Mix cocoa and water until smooth. Cool. Blend flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt. Add shortening and cocoa mixture. Beat 2 min. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl add eggs and beat 2 more min., Pour int baking cups (1/2 full
Bake 15 to 20 min. Makes 24 Cupcakes.

Sour-cream Biscuits

2010-03-16T07:45:00.005-06:00

This is a twist on Baking powder Biscuits that you will want to try. They are so good you will want to make them every day.
Biscuits and gravy are one of my husbands favorite breakfast and these make it so much better.

Preheat oven to 450.
2 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup shortening
1 cup dairy sour cream

Sift all dry ingredients together in medium bowl. Cut in shortening with a fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
Add sour cream stirring only until mixture is moistened
Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface knead about 10 minutes to farm a smooth dough
Gently roll out dough from center to ¾ inch thickness.
With floured 2 ½ inch biscuit cutter (I sometimes use a glass dipped in flour), cut straight down int0 dough being careful not to twist cutter
Place on ungreased cookie sheet bake 10 to 12 minutes. Serve hot

Streusel Coffeecake

2010-03-14T21:29:00.003-06:00

Ok this is the coffeecake that I use to make for my family when I felt like something sweet for breakfast. A nice tall glass of ice cold milk and this hits the spot. Enjoy

Ingredients
Batter:
1 ½ cups flour
1/3 cup butter or margarine (melted
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ cup milk
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
¾ cup sugar

Streusel layer:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons soft butter or margarine
½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)
2 tablespoons flour

Preheat oven to 375F. Grease an 8x8x2 inch pan
Make streusel layer in a small bowl: combine all ingredients; mix with a fork until crumbly.
Make batter. Add all dry ingredients, set aside. In medium bowl with beater beat egg sugar and butter together until well combined. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time while mixing on low speed.
Pour half of the batter into pan then put half of the streusel in evenly on top add other half of batter then the rest of the streusel layer.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool partially, in pan, on wire rack. Serve warm

Tarrogon Pork Chops

2010-03-12T10:36:00.005-07:00

Tarragon Pork Chops
OK my mother use to make these pork chops that were so, so good, we would lick the plate clean and the pan and the utensils and anything else that had the gravy on it. They were just that good. That said, I finally asked her for the recipe and this is what she gave me. So have fun with this one.
Pork chops (enough to feed everyone )
Salt and Pepper
2 Tbls Dijon Mustard
1/2 tsp Tarragon
1½ Tablespoon Butter
1 can ChickenBroth
8oz. whipping cream
Corn starch
After you cook the pork shops in the butter for awhile you add the rest of the ingredients. She said to add it to your taste and the desired thickness of the gravy. So there you have it the trade mark of a true cook is one that does not know the exact measurements to any of the recipes they make.

Homemade Pizza Crust!

2010-03-09T20:57:00.002-07:00

No pictures for this one either...I'm a slacker!

HOMEMADE PIZZA CRUST

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp. sugar

2 c. flour

2/3 c. warm water

1 Tbsp. yeast

Preparation:

Mix 1 c. flour with all ingredients
Gradually add 2nd cup of flour until it forms a ball.
knead dough
Let dough rise 10-15 minutes
Bake at about 450 for 15-20 minutes

This makes about a 14" pizza. We had to make 2 for the 5 of us and Boston.

This is also a good recipe to splurge on...get some really good specialty cheese and meat from Harmons (or Cari...I guess wherever you can find them.) and have fun with it! We made it with some delicious mozzerella, asiago, and parmesan rigiano foud at the cheese island by the deli in Harmons and we topped it with some Boar's Head pepporoni! YUMMY!

Pei Wei Mongolian Beef!

2010-03-09T20:44:00.002-07:00

Sorry I totally forgot to take a picture...

PEI WEI MONGOLIAN BEEF

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1/2 tsp. ginger, minced

1 Tbsp. garlic, chopped

1/2 c. soy sauce

1/2 c. water

3/4 c. dark brown sugar

1 c. vegetable oil

1 lb. flank steak

1/4 c. cornstarch

2 large green onions

Preparation:

Make the sauce by heating 2 tsp. of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over med/low heat. Don't let the oil get too hot. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and quickly add the soy sauce and water before the garlic scorches. Dissolve the brown sugar in the sauce, then raise the heat to about medium and boil the sauce for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove it from the heat.
Slice the flank steak against the grain into 1/8" thick slices. Dip the steak pieces into the cornstarch to apply a very thin dusting to both sides of each piece of beef. Let the beef sit for about 10 minutes so that hte cornstarch sticks.
As the beef sits, heat up one cup of oil in a wok (you can also use a skillet for this step as long as the beef will be mostly covered with oil). Heat the oil over medium heat until it's nice and hot, but not smoking. Add the beef to the oil and saute for just two minutes, or until the beef just begins to darken on the edges. You don't need to thoroughly cooking here since the beef is going to go back on the heat later. Stir the meat around a little so that it cooks evenly.
After a couple minutes, use a large slotted spoon to take the meat out and onto paper towels, then pour the oil out of the wok or skillet. Put pan back over the heat, dump the meat back in and let it simmer for about a minute. Add the sauce, cook for one minute while stirring, then add all the green onions. Cook for one more minute.

Serve over rice or noodles..Makes enough to feed 4-5 people. (depending on how much everyone eats...)

I added zuccini, snow peas, and celery to mine and it was DELICIOUS! Seriously it was so good!

Chicken Wings

2010-03-01T14:33:00.002-07:00

My girls use to love to put the sauce over rice. I have also made it with drumsticks and it taste just as good.

½ tsp salt
¼ Cup Soy Sauce
6oz can frozen orange juice concentrate
2 Tbls sugar
2 tsp ginger
1 Tbls lemon juice
1/8 tsp garlic powder
2 ½ lb wings (I sometimes use breasts and cut them up)

Mix the first 7 ingredients together and pour over chicken that has been placed in a 9x13 cake pan.
Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

Chocolate Gnache and Airhead Roses.

2010-02-18T00:07:00.002-07:00

Chocolate Gnache

8 oz. Heavy Cream
9 oz. chocolate (1 1/2 c.)
Heat the heavy cream on med-high until right before simmer.
Take off heat and add chocolate.
Set aside and cover for about 5 minutes.
Whisk until smooth.
...and you're done! How easy is that?

Airhead Roses! These are SO much fun to make and they look really impressive when you're done. One airhead makes one rose.

Low-Fat Delicious Salad

2010-01-09T20:11:00.004-07:00

I don't have a picture - my salad was nearly completely consumed when I decided to share this "recipe" with you all. I know we're all trying to lose weight right now so I thought I'd throw this out there.

I estimate it to be around 200 calories - but that depends on how much cheese you put on it *winky*

2-3 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts* (about 120 calories per serving)
1 can Mexican-flavored diced tomatoes (about 30 calories per serving)
Hearts of romaine (15 calories per serving)
1 can of sliced olives (25 calories per serving)
Cheese - your favorite kind, and however much you feel you need. (calories vary)

*I buy the individually frozen chicken breasts at Winco and plop them into the ol'crockpot while they're still frozen. They cook up beautifully.

Place the chicken breasts and the tomatoes into a crockpot and cook on low for about 4 hours (at least that's how long it took in my crockpot). Using two forks, shred the chicken and then let it cook for about another 1/2 hour to soak back in all the juices.

Place a handful or two of your chopped romaine lettuce onto a plate, give it a big, heaping spoonful of the shredded chicken, about a spoonful (or more) of olives, and top with some cheese.

This salad was SO GOOD. And with all the juice from the tomatoes/chicken, you don't even need any fatty dressing.

You could cook up some shredded chicken and keep it in your refrigerator and have this salad for lunch every day of the week. I think that's what I'll do.

Taco-Joe's

2010-01-08T16:39:00.004-07:00

Here's a simple family meal for ya. I got the recipe from a can of Campbell's Tomato Soup. We have made it several times and it's delicious. I can almost guarantee you'll have all the ingredients on hand too! SO SIMPLE!

Taco Joe's:

1 Can tomato soup
1 Cup salsa
1 lb hamburger

Directions:
Crumble and brown the hamburger in a large skillet. When it is fully cooked, drain the grease. Add in the can of soup and the cup of salsa. Stir it all in and serve it on a bun.

Yep. It really is that easy! And tasty too! We have also tried it with peach/mango salsa. Yum. And we have served it on rice instead of buns. That's really good too.

Meaty Stuffed Shells

2009-11-17T22:18:00.005-07:00

The first time I made this was when I was living with Rachel & Mark just after they got married. They got this recipe with a gift for their wedding (do you remember that, Rachey?). Well, I cooked it for them and the recipe has stuck in my head all these years and I've made it several times. Personally, I love the stuff - and it's one of Jason's favorite meals.

(Please excuse the messy picture. Jason plated for me and the picture was an afterthought - I was just excited to dig in!)

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 green pepper
1/2 lb Mozzarella cheese (or more if you like it super cheesy *yum*)
1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce
1 box manicotti shells

Directions:

Cook shells as directed on package. Brown the hamburger and drain. Dice the green pepper and Mozzarella cheese (yes, I said dice the cheese - not shred) and combine in a large bowl with the hamburger. Using a spoon, fill the shells with the meat/pepper/cheese mixture. Spread a small amount of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 cake pan. Line the stuffed shells up in the pan. Cover shells with the remaining sauce. I usually have meat mixture left over so I just dump that on top too. Cover with cheese and cook at 350 until heated thru (about 15-20 minutes).

Cashew Chicken

2009-11-10T22:42:00.002-07:00

**CASHEW CHICKEN**

1 Tbsp. oil
1/4 c. or more cashews
1 chicken breast half, cut in chunks
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 lb. Chinese snow peas
1/4 lb. fresh mushrooms
1/2 c. celery, sliced or chopped
1/2 c. carrots, sliced or chopped
2 green onions, sliced

In large nonstick pan, heat oil and stir-fry cashews on medium heat until lightly toasted. Remove cashews from pan with slotted spoon.
In same pan, stir-fry chicken until tender and no longer pink in center. Remove chicken from pan with slotted spoon. Remove pan from heat.
In a small bowl, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, cornstarch and sugar. Set aside. Return pan to heat.
Place snow peas, mushrooms, celery and carrots in pan and stir-fry 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in soy sauce mixture.
Add green onions and cook until well blended and thickened and add chicken.
Add cashews just before serving.

Makes 4 cups (serves about 1 person)

I made this for dinner tonight and it was DELICIOUS! I had to quadruple the recipe to feed everyone, but it worked out nicely. (If you are feeding 2 people double it, 3 people triple it, and so forth.) We left out the mushrooms. But other than that we followed the recipe spot on and it was SUPER easy! I was intimidated by the name of the meal "Cashew Chicken" sounds pretty fancy shmancy...but it was so easy and SO good! We put ours over noodles but everyone agreed it would have been better with rice. Anyway, this is a MUST TRY recipe!

CREAM PUFFS

2009-07-20T08:00:00.003-06:00

3/4 C WATER

1/3 C BUTTER OR MARGARINE

3/4 C FLOUR

1/8 tsp SALT

3 EGGS

PRE HEAT OVEN 400 DEGREES

MAKES 6 (YOU CAN DOUBLE RECIPE)

In a small sauce pan bring water and butter to boil over medium heat. Remove from heat beat in flour and salt, all at once. Over low heat stir mixture until it leaves the sides of the pan. Remove from heat add eggs all at once. Beat until smooth and satiny looking. Place dough by large spoon fulls on ungreased cookie sheet. They will puff up so don't make them too big. Bake at 400 for 35-40 min without opening the door. Remove from oven and cool in draft free place. When cool cut tops push down inside of puff. Fill with your favorite pudding or ice cream. Put tops back on and frost with favorite frosting.

ENJOY!!!!

Red, White and Green Jell-o

2009-07-19T12:58:00.004-06:00

I know all of you will remember this yummy desert that Mom use to make. This time of year you could substitute green jello for blue jello.

1 - 3oz pkg Lemon flavored Jell-O
1 - 3oz pkg Cherry, Raspberry, or Strawberry Jell-O
1 - 3oz pkg of Lime Jell-O
3 C. boiling Water
1 - 8oz pkg Cream Cheese, softened
1 - 8-1/4oz Crushed Pineapple with the syrup
1 C. Cool Whip, thawed
1/2 C. Mayonnaise
1-1/2 C/ Cold water

Dissolve each flavor of gelatin separately in 1 cup of boiling water. Gradually blend lemon gelatin mixture into softened cream cheese beating until smooth. Add pineapple and syrup and chill until slightly thickened. Blend in whipped topping and mayonnaise and chill until very thick.
Meanwhile, add 3/4 cup cold water to the red jello, pour into 9-inch square pan and chill until set but not firm. Add remaining cold water to the lime jello, chill until slightly thickened. Spoon lemon gelatin mixture over the red jello. Chill until set but not firm, top with lime jello. Chill until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight. Unmold and garnish with cut-up pineapple slices and maraschino cherries, if desired. Makes about 16 servings.

Orange Tapioca Jello Salad

2009-04-13T23:29:00.006-06:00

An old family favorite. I made this for Easter. We took a big bowl to Grandma's party on Saturday and another big bowl to dinner at Jason's aunts house on Sunday. I love this stuff! It should be re-named: Orangie-Heaven in a bowl.

Ingredients:
3 cups water
1 sm pkg Orange Jell-O
1 sm pkg Cook'n Serve Vanilla Pudding
1 sm pkg Cook'n Serve Tapioca
1 can mandarin oranges (drained)
1 8oz container Cool Whip

Directions:
In medium saucepan stir together the first four ingredients. Bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool. Add the mandarin oranges and Cool Whip and stir thoroughly. Chill for several hours before serving.

I've heard rumors that this recipe has been tried with different flavors. Although I've never tried it myself, I bet raspberry would be phenomenal!

Lemonade Cheesecake

2009-04-05T23:25:00.004-06:00

1 Pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 C. frozen Lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 tub (8 oz.) Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)
1-1/2 cups sliced Strawberries
2 Tbsp Sugar

Beat the cream cheese until creamy. Add the Lemonade concentrate gradually and stirring thoroughly in between additions. Lastly add 2 cups of the whipped topping (I only had 2 cups in the 8 oz. tub so if you want some for the top, as seen in the picture, you may want to by a bigger tub).
Spoon the mixture into the pie crust and refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.
Mix the sliced berries with the sugar and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

I used the lite cool whip and light cream cheese to make if lower in fat. It tasted delicious. I will be making it for Easter dinner with the Fife's. Enjoy everyone!!

My New Favorite Muffin

2009-04-03T15:48:00.004-06:00

Jenalyn wanted to make banana muffins so I went searching online for a good recipe. As always, I searched on Recipezaar first and I found the mother of all banana muffin recipes!

Delicious - check.
Moist - check.
Healthy - check.
Chocolate - check.

What else matters?

So here you go...

(Why yes, those are Lightening McQueen cupcake liners. They were left over from Corbin's birthday.)

Low-Fat Banana Oatmeal Chocolate-chip Muffins

Ingredients

3 large bananas, mashed
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup flour (you can use whole wheat for a change if you like)
1/2 cup rolled oats (instant is fine)
1/3 cup applesauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Add sugar to mashed bananas and mix.
Add beaten egg and mix.
In a separate bowl mix all dry ingredients.
Add dry ingredients to the banana mixture and mix well.
Mix in applesauce.
Add chocolate chips and Stir.
Spoon into medium size muffin tin (I use paper muffin cups so they won't stick) and fill 3/4's full.
Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350.

I used whole wheat flour and Grandma Sprague's home-canned applesauce. I tagged this recipe as Breakfast and Dessert because they really were that good.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchilads

2009-03-25T00:27:00.004-06:00

Cheryl told me about these on Saturday at the Chile Verde class. I found the recipe on Good Thing Utah's website. I tried it out and they were so delicious I thought I would share.

1/3 C. Honey
1/4 C. Lime Juice

2 tsp to 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
2 large cloves of Garlic, ﬁnely minced or 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
2 large Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded
12 Corn Tortillas or Flour Tortillas
2 C. of Mexican Cheese Blend, shredded
1 14-oz can of Green Enchilada Sauce
1/2 - 3/4 C. of Heavy Cream
Nonstick Cooking Spray
1 Tbsp of chopped Cilantro, to garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the cooked and shredded chicken in a medium sized bowl. Set aside. In a small bowl, place the honey, lime juice, chili powder and minced garlic or garlic powder. Whisk together thoroughly to combine. Pour this mixture over the chicken and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to marinate while you prepare the tortillas, 30 minutes or up to 1 hour, in the refrigerator.

Heat a large griddle till a drop of water skitters across (about 350 degrees F). Spray the surface with non-stick cooking spray or a oil it with a little bit of canola oil in between each round of tortillas. Heat tortillas about 20 seconds on each side till warm and ﬂexible and some golden brown spots have appeared. Remove the tortillas from the griddle and keep them between a couple of paper towels until ready to use.

Spray the sides and bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray. In a medium bowl combine the enchilada sauce and the heavy cream. Spread about 1/2 cup of the mixture in the bottom of the oiled baking dish. Add a large spoonful (about 2 tablespoons) of the chicken mixture to the center of each tortilla in a line. Cover the chicken with a large tablespoon (or big pinch) of cheese, then roll the tortilla up from one side to make a rolled enchilada - it will be more of an over lap on the seam side that rolled tightly. Place the enchilada seam side down in the baking dish starting at one end with the long edge parallel to the longest side of the pan so that you end up with two columns of six enchiladas each.

Repeat with the remaining chicken, cheese and tortillas. You will use about 1 1/2 cups of the cheese for the ﬁlling and set the remainder aside for topping the enchiladas in the pan. Add the remaining marinade mixture to the enchilada sauce and cream mixture, if desired. Pour this mixture over the top of all the enchiladas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake the enchiladas for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and starting to brown on top. Serve with sour cream, black beans, and rice or a green salad for a great meal.

Lettuce Wraps

2009-03-23T00:54:00.003-06:00

We had these at a friend's house on Saturday night. So delicious and low fat.

3 Tbsp oil
3 Tbsp chopped onions
1 tsp Garlic, minced
4-5 leaves iceberg lettuce
1 lb ground turkey

Special Sauce:
1/4 C. Sugar
1/2 C. Water
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
2 Tbsp Ketchup
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1/8 tsp Sesame Oil
1 Tbsp Hot Mustard
2 tsp Water
1-2 tsp garlic and red chile sauce

Stir-Fry Sauce:
2 Tbsp Soy sauce
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Rice Vinegar

Make the special sauce by dissolving the sugar in water. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, lemon juice, and sesame oil. Mix well and refrigerate this sauce until you're ready to serve.

Combine the hot water with the hot mustard and set this aside as well.

Eventually add your desired measurement of mustard and garlic chili sauce to the special sauce mixture to pour over the wraps.

Bring oil to high heat in a work or large frying pan. Brown ground turkey. Add garlic.

Prepare the stir fry sauce by mixing the soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar together.

Add the stir fry sauce to the pan and saute the mixture for a couple of minutes then serve in lettuce wraps with the special sauce either ladled over the top of the meat mixture or a small bowl for dipping the lettuce wrap.

We also took some of the special sauce and made stir fry noodles as well. You can saute your favorite vegetables while you cook rice noodles. Then add the rice noodles to the vegetables and add a couple ladles of the sauce and bring warm.

Avon Sugar Cookies

2009-02-13T14:13:00.003-07:00

Avon Sugar Cookies

1 cup softened butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

Mix thoroughly butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Blend in flour and baking soda. Cover; chill 2-3 hours.

Heat oven to 375. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 1/4 inch thick onlightly floured clothcovered board. Cut into desired shapes. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7-8 minutes or until light brown on edge. Yeidls approx. 4 dozen 2 -2 1/2 inch cookies. * If using self-rising flour; omit soda

Special Icing

1# confectioner's sugar

1 large egg white water

Beat confectioer's sugar into egg white, adding 1 tablespoon water or enough to produce a fairly thick frosting.

Crepes

2009-02-07T19:19:00.003-07:00

...or Swedish Pancakes...or Norwegian Pancakes...doesn't matter what you call them, they are delicious!
3 eggs
1 1/4 C milk (or soy milk)
3/4 C flour
1 T sugar
1/2 t Salt

(Makes about 8 crepes) Combine all ingredients and mix well. Using a medium-sized pan on medium heat, pour batter into hot, buttered pan, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Cook for a couple of minutes on each side.

You can fill them with ANYTHING. I've had them with ice cream, pie filling, cottage cheese & fruit, but my favorite is yogurt. This morning I filled it with french vanilla bean yogurt and topped with frozen/thawed blueberries and powdered sugar. I think that is my favorite so far!

Heidi found a cream cheese filling that she likes to use, I imaging it's like cheesecake. I bet that's incredible too!

Feel free to share your favorite filling!

Baked Mushroom Chicken

2009-02-02T03:46:00.002-07:00

Mom loves it when Mark makes this recipe especially in the dutch oven. Very, very delicious!!

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

¼ C. Flour
3 Tbsp Butter, divided

1 C. Fresh Mushrooms, sliced
½ C. Chicken Broth

¼ tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper

1/3 C. Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
1/3 C. Parmesan Cheese, grated

¼ C. Green Onions, sliced

Flatten each chicken breast half to ¼ inch thickness. Place flour in a resealable plastic bag; add chicken, a few pieces at a time. Seal and shake to coat.
In a large skillet, brown chicken in 2 Tbsp butter on both sides. Transfer to a greased 11-in x 7-in x 2-in baking dish. In the same skillet, sauté mushrooms in the remaining butter until tender. Add the broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook for 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to ½ cup. Spoon over chicken. Bake uncovered, at 375 for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheeses and onions. Bake 5 minutes longer or until the chicken juices run clear.

Chicken Puffs

2009-02-02T03:42:00.003-07:00

Do any of you guys remember Mom making these? I remember just loving them. Enjoy for old times sake!!

8 oz Crescent Rolls

8 oz. Cream Cheese
2 C. Cooked Chicken
2 Tbsp Butter, soft
¼ tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper
2 Tbsp Milk
1 Egg White

Blend cheese & butter until smooth. Add chicken, salt, pepper and milk. Separate crescent dough into 4 rectangles. Press together at seams. Top each with ½ c. of chicken mixture. Fold over and pinch ends together to form a pouch. Brush w/ egg white. Bake on a cookie sheet at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Cheese and Broccoli Soup

2009-01-29T13:46:00.004-07:00

I haven't made this for a long time but here you go Cheryl. Hope it brings back some good memories.

4 Potatoes cut into bite size pieces
2 cups water
2 teaspoons chicken bullion
Cook in a good size pot until potatoes are tender add
1 small bag of cut up frozen Broccoli
bring to a boil. You may add celery salt and onion salt if desired.
in small sauce pan over medium heat
combine
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. flour
when butter is melted and combined with flour add
2 cups Milk stirring constantly until thick
add
1 small block of Velveeta Cheese, cut into cubes, to the mixture
stir until cheese is melted then add mixture to the soup stirring until it is blended. Do not let the sou come to a boil after the cheese sauce is added.
Serve and enjoy!

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

2009-01-27T23:09:00.003-07:00

I can't believe we don't already have this recipe on here. It is such a staple for every Sprague household.

Bag Chopped Broccoli
4 Chicken Breasts (boiled and cut-up)
1 C. Mayonnaise
1/2 C. Milk
2 Cans Cream of Celery or Cream of Chicken Soup
1 C. Shredded Cheese
1/2 tsp. Curry Powder
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
3 Slices of Bread (optional)

Layer the broccoli in the bottom of a cake pan. Add the cut-up chicken on top. In a bowl mix mayo, milk, soup, cheese, curry powder, and lemon juice until well combined. Put the soup mixture on the very top and break up the pieces of bread on top (optional). I skip the bread and put more cheese on the top. My family likes to put the Chinese chow mien noodles on top of it. I just like it plain.

Lime Slush

2009-01-07T14:03:00.003-07:00

Mom, does this sound like the slush you normally make?

11 cups water
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup limeade concentrate
2 liters lemon-lime soda, chilled
Lime slices, optional

Directions: In a 4-qt. freezer container, combine the water, sugar and limeade concentrate until sugar is dissolved; cover and freeze. Remove from the freezer several hours before serving. Chop mixture until slushy. Add soda just before serving. Garnish with lime slices if desired.

Monkey Bread

2008-12-24T00:42:00.005-07:00

Perfect Christmas breakfast! You throw it all together the night before and then cook it in the morning - easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! I found this recipe on another recipe blog.

18 frozen dinner rolls (like Rhodes)

½ C. brown sugar
1 small pkg. regular butterscotch pudding mix (cook 'n serve - NOT instant)
½ C. melted margarine

Place frozen rolls in greased bundt pan. Sprinkle on dry ingredients. Pour melted margarine over all. Cover with foil, then a dishcloth. Let stand on counter overnight. In the morning, bake at 325º for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes then invert onto plate. Best when served warm.

(Just a warning! When I made these it didn't look like 18 rolls was going to be enough so I added about 10 more - by the time it was done rising and cooking, I had rolls popping out all over the place, and the center was doughy...so believe them when they say 18 rolls!)

Potatoe Casserole

2008-12-19T15:24:00.002-07:00


5 large potatoes or two bags of frozen shredded potatoes

3tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1 can (10 1/2 ounces) cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 cup milk

3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

 

Topping

3/4 cup cornflake crumbs or dry bread crumbs,mixed with 

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

3 tablespoons parmesan cheese


     Boil unpared potatoes until tender. Drain and peel. Shred coarsely.

Place in 2- or 3-quart casserole. Pour melted butter over potatoes. 

Mix together soup,sour cream, milk, onions and cheese. Pour evenly 

over potatoes. Do not mix! Cover with topping. Bake 30 minutes at 

325 degrees F. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Chex Muddy Buddies

2008-12-16T23:45:00.003-07:00

These are one of my favorite treats. They are so delicious!!

9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.

2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Nutmeg Logs

2008-12-12T21:20:00.010-07:00

This is by far my favorite Christmas cookie. They are little bites of eggnoggie heaven!

Cookie:
1 C butter
3/4 C sugar
1 1/4 t nutmeg
1 egg
2 t rum extract
2 t vanilla
3 C flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add nutmeg, egg and extracts. Mix thoroughly. Sift flour and measure into cream mixture. Shape into 1/2" X 3" logs.

Bake at 350 for 15 mins.

Frosting:
1/4 C soft butter
3 C powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
1 t rum extract
2 T milk

Mix together. Spread on cookie logs. Run a fork thru the frosting to resemble bark. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Psst...I cheat and buy Pilsbury frosting (since it's dairy-free) and add the rum. Also, this time I used my cake decorating tool to frost them - it made it so quick and easy...and pretty.

English Toffee

2008-11-25T22:19:00.007-07:00

(Picture added by carizolli - Jenalyn and I made a delicious batch 12/13/08.)

This is for all of those who love toffee. It is so easy that you will want to make it all the time. But when you make it everyone will want some so make enough to satisfy you and your friends.


1 Cup Sugar
3 T. Water
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Margarine
2/3 Cup Chocolate Chips

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a sauce pan.
Heat slowly over medium heat and stir mixture until dissolved.
Bring to a boil until the color of a brown paper sack.
Stir often (15-20 minutes keep it boiling). Butter an 8x8 inch square pan.
Pour the mixture in the pan and place chocolate chips on top.
When chips are melted, spread evenly over entire surface.
Sprinkle chopped nuts on top, if desired.
Let cool and brake into pieces.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2008-11-24T00:47:00.004-07:00

2 Eggs

1 C. Milk

1/2 C. Cooked Pumpkin

1 3/4 C. Bisquick

1 Tbsp Sugar

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

Chocolate Chips (Optional)

Mix all ingredients well, and cook on hot griddle until golden brown.

I love to top it with just whip cream. They are good enough that you don't need syrup. Although some people like to put syrup on them.

Pasta Caraba

2008-11-17T16:05:00.008-07:00


Notes: I got this (kinda) from Rendy.   I hope that we can get him to add some of his recipes to this site

Fry some bacon in a large skillet until crisp (Take out of pan when done)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups sliced mushroom
3 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 8 oz chicken breast or thighs, grilled and cut into strips
1 pound penne
pasta
Fresh Rosemary to taste
Fresh Basli to taste
2 cups grated Romano cheese
salt to taste
pepper to taste

1. In the bacon grease in the large skillet, add garlic and sauté for a few seconds , add mushrooms, sauté for 3 minutes over a medium flame.

2. Cook Penne in salted boiling water until al dente (13 minutes).

3. Add heavy cream, chicken and Rosemary to sauce. Bring to a boil. Drain pasta and add to sauce, along with the crumbled up bacon, and toss pasta and bacon with the sauce. Sprinkle cheese and Fresh basil evenly over pasta and toss until sauce is a creamy consistency.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Nut Chewys

2008-11-12T18:38:00.009-07:00

This was originally called Nut Noels but when it's not Christmas and you get hungry for them you have to change the name.

1 Cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
½ Cup Flour
1/8 t Salt
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 eggs
2 T Butter
1 t Vanilla

Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Pour into a 8X8 pan that has parchment paper on the bottom and has been greased and floured and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.

Cool and cut into squares and roll in powdered sugar.

Crock Pot French Dips

2008-11-11T23:06:00.004-07:00

So I follow a LOT of different recipe blogs because I love trying new recipes. I found this recipe and just had to try it! Now that I'm working full time twice a week, my crock pot is my best friend.

This dip reminded me of Sunday afternoons when mom would put a roast in the oven to cook while we were at church and when we got home from church she would dip a slice a bread in the juice and give it to us as a little pre-dinner snack. Ahh...fond memories! I love you, mom!

French Dip Meat

Pot roast (about 2-4 lbs)

1 can beef broth + about 1/2 can of water (depending on the size of your roast)

1 pkg. dry Au Jus seasoning

1 pkg. dry Zesty Italian dressing

Stick it all in your crock pot and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4-5 hours...or until tender. Shred or slice beef (our's was too tender to slice). Serve the meat on rolls with mozzarella cheese. Ladle the juice into a small dish for dipping. We also sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. It was SO good!

Pumpkin Roll

2008-11-08T15:34:00.006-07:00

Ingredients:
CAKE
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup Libby' pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

FILLING
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration

Directions:
FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack. (cool 45-60 min max.)
It's easier to un roll and re-roll.

FOR FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

COOKING TIP:Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

Un roll cake gently spread filling re roll cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hr. Enjoy!

Candied Apple Pie Cheesecake

2008-11-06T00:29:00.004-07:00

I get the Kraft Foods magazine and I saw this recipe. I think it looks so good. I haven't tried it yet but it sure looks delicious and I wanted to share it.

1 cup crushed Ginger Snaps
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup Sour Cream
2 eggs
1 cup apple pie filling, divided
1/2 cup Walnut Pieces, divided (I don't personally like walnuts so I would probably make mine without it)
1/2 cup toffee bits, divided

HEAT oven to 325°F. Mix crumbs, butter and 2 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate.

BEAT cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each. Stir in 1/2 each pie filling, nuts and toffee. Pour into crust.

BAKE 35 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 4 hours. Top with remaining pie filling, nuts and toffee before serving.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-11-03T05:02:00.005-07:00

I love Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies. This is a really quick and easy recipe. It makes a ton. Usually we will make one batch and hand them out to quite a few neighbors during the holidays.

Ingredients:

1 (15oz) can Libby's canned pumpkin
1 box Spice cake mix
1 (12ox) package chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix together cake mix and pumpkin until well combined. Add chocolate chips to mix.
Drop cookies on greased baking sheet or ungreased stone.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Eggnog Rice Pudding

2008-10-28T23:16:00.006-06:00

I made rice the other night for dinner but Jason decided he wanted Quiznos so we ate out instead *lol* So, based on my current eggnog obsession, I looked up a recipe for eggnog rice pudding. I really like recipes with few ingredients - so this one looked perfect! And it tasted incredible!

Eggnog Rice Pudding:

Ingredients:

2-1/4 cups eggnog
5 teaspoons cornstarch
2 cups cooked long grain rice
1/2 cup finely chopped red and green candied cherries (I didn't use these - NOT a fan of candied cherries!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt (woops...did it call for salt?)

Directions:

Place 2 cups eggnog in a heavy saucepan. Combine cornstarch and remaining eggnog until smooth; add to pan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; boil for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in rice, cherries, vanilla and salt. Spoon into dishes. Chill 2-3 hours. Yield: 4-6 servings.

Recipe from: Taste of Home. (thanks Google)

Breadstick Recipe

2008-10-25T22:20:00.005-06:00

(Picture added by Cari - the breadsticks were a HIT at Heidi's birthday dinner. Thanks again for the recipe, Jen!)

¼ cup of Water
½ a cup of Milk
1 Egg
¼ cup of Butter (Melted)
1 teaspoon of Sugar
½ a teaspoon of Salt
2 ½ cups of Flour
3 teaspoons of Instant Yeast

If you have a breadmaker, you can just add the ingredients in the order they are in, however, if you are like me and you break your breadmaker as soon as you get one, then dissolve the yeast in the water and then add the rest of the ingredients. This way you have to beat it down once after it has risen to double and then let raise until double again. Then beat the dough down again and separate into even amounts for as many breadsticks as you like, smaller if you like a lot, and larger if you don't need too many. (I always make the recipe x4 for the whole family). Take your sections of dough and roll them between your hands to make the breadsticks. Place them on a cookie sheet, touching.

Once you have completed the above steps, cover the breadsticks and let rise until double again. Next preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place the breadsticks in the oven for about 18 to 23 minutes. Then turn on the broiler and brush the breadsticks with butter, parmesan cheese, or garlic butter or all three. Now broil the breadsticks until the breadsticks begin to turn golden brown in color.

There you go Care Bear! I love you!

Huli Chicken

2008-10-15T19:47:00.003-06:00

The pictures do not do it justice ;o)

This is the best marinade I have come across yet!

Ingredients:
Boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 C Water
1 C Soy Sauce
1 C packed brown sugar
¼ C Dried Sesame Seeds
Small fresh Ginger root
Fresh Garlic
Green Onions

Directions:
Mix water ,soy sauce and brown sugar in mixing bowl ( I use large zip lock bags)
Peel and chop garlic and ginger ( use equal amounts )
Dice green onions and remaining ingredients to liquid mixture. Add sesame seeds
Rinse chicken and add to Marinade. Refrigerate 1-2 days (the longer the better)

**I usually double the recipe. If your soy sauce is on the salty side you can add ½-1 C extra water. Also you can add pineapple juice to sweeten it up a bit in place of the extra water.***

Cooking:
When you are ready to cook I recommend the BBQ but you can bake it as well. Remove Chicken from Marinade, set sauce a side. If you are BBQ you can glaze the chicken after you turn it the first time. If you choose to bake it pour glaze over chicken in baking dish cover and bake @ 350 until cooked ( 25-30 min)

Optional glaze:
I slowly boil the marinade for a couple of minutes then thicken and use as a glaze after the chicken is cooked. Make sure it comes to a full boil to ensure that it has cooked off the chicken juices.(Yes it is safe if you boil it long enough)

Great with any side dish of your choice. Enjoy!!

The Best Lemon Cookies in the World

2008-10-08T00:38:00.004-06:00

My favorite visiting teacher always brings me a treat. These are my favorites. Very soft and so delicious. I usually eat the whole plate of cookies by myself.

Lemon Cake Mix
8oz. Cream Cheese
1 Egg
1/2 stick of Butter 0r Margarine
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice

Mix all ingredients together and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Roll into 1" balls and roll in powdered sugar.

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes
You will see them slightly crack and have a light brown tint.

Quick and Easy Mini Navajo Tacos

2008-10-07T22:53:00.005-06:00

Rodes Rolls (however many your family will eat...make a few extra for dessert :))
Chili (really good with Cari's taco soup recipe)
cheese
lettuce
tomatoes
salsa
sour cream (to me this is the key ingredient for making it super good!)

Thaw out the rolls...smash 'em flat...and deep fry them to make scones.

Make the chili...whether its homemade or from a can. I actually have taken canned chili, added tomato sauce, taco seasoning, onion flakes, and chili powder...its an easier alternative to making canned chili taste a little more homemade.

top the scones with your favorite taco toppings! Its DE-licious!

Single Serving Chocolate Cake...from the mikey...?

2008-10-07T22:25:00.003-06:00

I found this recipe just now and thought...hmmm...you mean to tell me that I can make myself chocolate cake...in the microwave...in just 3 minutes...only dirtying ONE dish?!?!? Are you kidding me? I'm am sooo trying this!

...but not tonight because I went to Olive Garden for dinner and finished it up with a piece of Pumpkin Cheesecake *yum*

Microwave Mug Cake:
4 tbsp. flour
4 tbsp. sugar
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg
3 tbsp. milk
3 tbsp. oil
3 tbsp. chocolate chips (optional, but not really. Add them!)
Small splash vanilla

Measure flour, sugar, and cocoa in a large mug. Mix well.
Add egg and mix well.
Add milk and oil and mix well.
Add chocolate chips and vanilla and mix well.

"Microwave for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise up over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed."

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

2008-10-07T00:39:00.006-06:00

(Picture posted by carizolli - this recipe was DELICIOUS! The leftovers didn't last long either!)

I have this recipe for Chicken Enchiladas and thought I would try it out in the casserole form like Mom use to make. It turned out really good. I took a picture but there is not a card in my camera and I don't have a cord to plug it in to my computer so I will have to figure out how to get it posted. Sorry all!!

2 cans Cream of Chicken or Cream of Celery Soup
1 C. Sour Cream
4 Tbsp. Butter
1 C. chopped Onion
2 tsp Chili Powder
4 C. diced cooked Chicken
2 cans chopped Green Chillies (4oz. cans)
Flour Tortillas cut in 4ths
1 can Enchilada Sauce
Shredded Montery Jack or Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375.
In a small bowl, stir together the soup and sour cream until smoot, set aside.
In fry pan, melt butter and add Chili powder. Saute onion and chilies until onion is tender, stirring often. Stir in chicken, chilies and 4 Tbsp of the soup mixture, remove from heat.
Layer some of the flour tortillas in the bottom of a cake size glass dish. Add a enough of the chicken mixture to cover the tortillas, some of the soup mixture, drizzle enchilada sauce and then sprinkle cheese. Continue layers until the chicken mixture is gone. On the top stop with the enchilada sauce and cover with foil. Cook 15mins and then take foil off and sprinkle more cheese on top. Cook 5-8 more minutes or until cheese melts.

Cream of Zucchini Soup

2008-10-02T15:48:00.004-06:00


3 Cups sliced zucchini
1 Cup water
1tlbs. Season All Salt
½ tsp. Parsley Flakes
1tsp Chicken seasoned stock base
1tlbs. instant minced Onions

In a pan combined all the ingredients, and cook until the zucchini is tender.

 Blend in a blender.

In a Pan combine the next ingredients until butter is melted..
2Tabls. Butter
2Tlbs. Flour
1/8 tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. Bon Appetit’
1tsp Chicken seasoned stock base

Gradually add in 
½ Cup Light Cream
1Cup Milk
Simmer until thickened. Stir in zucchini. Mix well.
Eat with crackers.

Lavender Lemon Tea Cookies

2008-09-28T21:47:00.003-06:00

This is a Recipe that Tamara Sprague sent me. I have wanted this recipe all summer and She finally came through, I love her art of cooking


2 Tbsp. lavender flowers, crushed
2 c. soft unsalted butter
1 1/3 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. lemon extract
2 c. pastry flour, sifted
¼ tsp. salt

In mixer with paddle attachment, add lavender & sugar. Mix well. Add butter, then vanilla & lemon extract. Cream together well. Sift in flour & salt; mix until combined. Refrigerate 1-2 hrs.
Roll ¼” thick. Cut out (I like hearts or scalloped edge circles) & put onto ungreased cookie sheet to chill. Bake at 325° for 12-14 min. until edges are just brown.

Icing:
2 c. powdered sugar
4 Tbsp. lemon juice
4 Tbsp. corn syrup

Add lemon juice & corn syrup to powdered sugar, mixing well. Spread on cooled cookies.

Suggestions

2008-09-28T19:59:00.002-06:00

Hello Girls! My Girlfriend and I raided our garden at the property and now I need some suggestions on how to cook all these yummy veggies. I have squash, beets and green beans. I have never cooked any of these fresh and I have no clue what to do!

Corn Meal Rolls

2008-09-25T14:38:00.009-06:00

Important Note
If you half this recipe it will fit in the bread
maker so that you don't have to knead it.

Ingredients:
1 c. Corn Meal
1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 c. Melted Butter
2 1/2 c. Milk

2 Eggs
1 Tbsp. Yeast
1/2 c. Warm Water
4 c. Flour


Directions:
Mix Corn Meal Sugar Salt Butter and Milk in sauce pan.
Cook until thick let cool until luke warm.

Add eggs and yeast to warm water. Let raise.
Mix with corn meal mixture and let rise.
Add enough flour to form a soft ball. Let rise.
Roll, cut and shape. Let rise.
Bake in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

Potato Ham Casserole

2008-09-25T14:30:00.004-06:00


A good meal for Ham and potato lovers

Ingredients:
8 medium Potatoes
1 to 2 Cups cooked Ham
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Cup Sour Cream
¼ Cup Melted Butter
3 Green Onions Chopped
1 ½ Cup Grated Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
Boil potatoes in jackets until almost done. When cool, grate the potatoes.
Pour into casserole dish.
Add Ham and mix.
Mix rest of ingredients together and pour on potatoes and ham.
Mix together. And cook at 350o for 30 to 40 minutes.
Enjoy!

Tamale Pie

2008-09-25T14:28:00.002-06:00



A good hearty meal for the mountains or home

Ingredients:
2 Cans Chili
1 can Enchilada Sauce
½ Cup onions
1 small can chopped green chilies (optional)
8 tamales cut in half lengthwise
2 ½ Cups shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheese

Directions:
Layer twice in 9x13 pan and end with cheese
Cook at 375o for 30 minutes.

No Peek Chicken

2008-09-25T14:23:00.004-06:00

A good meal with little fuss

Ingredients:
4T Butter
1C Milk
2C Rice
8 Chicken Breasts
2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Package Onion Soup Mix


Directions:
Melt butter in 9X13 cake pan. Add milk and spread
rice evenly over the bottom of the Pan.
Place chicken on top of rice. Mix the cans of
soup together and pour over the Chicken.
Sprinkle onion soup mix on top.
Cover with aluminum foil and cook at 350o for
two hours or until chicken is done and rice is tender.
Enjoy!!

Saucy Chicken and Asparagus

2008-09-25T14:16:00.003-06:00

In the spring the ditch banks around Emery County Utah sprout asparagus and this recipe is great for those of us who love asparagus.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 pounds of fresh asparagus spears, halved
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 Tablespoons cooking oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 Cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
If desired, partially cook the asparagus; drain.Place the asparagus in a greased 9-inch square baking dish. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken in oil on both sides. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange chicken over asparagus. In a bowl, mix soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice and curry powder; pour over chicken. Cover and bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender and juices run clear. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.Number Of Servings:4 servingsPreparation Time:1 hour start to finish

Wassail

2008-09-25T14:07:00.006-06:00

(Picture added by Cari - 1/8/10)

It's getting cold outside and it always makes me want a nice warm drink that makes me feel cozy. There are a lot of different ways to make this drink but I like this the best.

1 12oz Can of Orange Juice
3/4 cup Lemon Juice
5 Qt. Water
3 Cups Sugar
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1 tsp. Whole Cloves

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large pan. Heat until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. turn stove to very low heat and simmer all day or until the wassail is gone.This fills the house with a great smell and sets a good mood for the holidays. It tastes good too!!

Meatball Sandwiches

2008-09-20T01:46:00.004-06:00

This is one of my favorite quick & easy meals. And the whole family loves it! I even used turkey meatballs - couldn't even tell the difference!

Store-bought, frozen, Italian flavored meatballs
Your favorite spaghetti sauce (I used Italian stewed tomatoes and just pureed them since I didn't have any sauce on hand)
Hoagie rolls
Cheese

*duh* this is a no brainer, really! Put the meatballs and sauce into a sauce pan and heat through. Then spoon a couple meatballs into a roll, sprinkle with cheese and enjoy!

There is not much homemade about it!

I served these up tonight alongside Rachel's Garlic Fries (made with store-bought steak fries) DELISH!

Stuffed Peppers

2008-09-17T19:36:00.004-06:00

From time to time I come across a recipe for stuffed peppers. Not all stuffed peppers are created equal. I know that this sounds strange but it is true. That said, I would like to give my version of

The Stuffed Pepper

1 lb Hamburger

1/3 Cup Rice (uncooked)

a little onion (as much as you like)

some bread crumbs or cracker crumbs (which ever)

Salt pepper & garlic salt (how ever much you desire)

1 egg

mix together and stuff into Peppers that have been cut open on top and the seeds and membranes removed. put in shallow pan

Pour a can of beef broth and a can of diced tomatoes over the peppers cover with foil and cook at 350 for an hour and a half or two.

It is a meal in its self. Enjoy!

Parmesan Chicken

2008-09-10T19:27:00.012-06:00

[Picture added by carizolli (9/14/08) - I made this for dinner tonight. I breaded the chicken with crushed Ritz crackers w/Italian seasonings. It was absolutely delicious! I also didn't have any parmesan cheese - DON'T LAUGH - parmasean chicken w/out parmasean - I know! But it was great even with just mozzarella.]

OK. First let me say that this is just the name I called this because I used Parmesan Cheese.

In a 9x13 cake pan Pour some of the Italian sauce (see the recipe below) in the pan just to cover the bottom.
In a large frying pan brown(don't cook) the boneless skinless Chicken breast in butter. As many as you need. (A slight variation is to dip the chicken in butter and then in Italian flavored bread crumbs before browning.)
Put the browned chicken breast in the cake pan place a piece of mozzarella cheese on each breast.
Pour the remaining sauce in the frying pan and stir to pick up the drippings from the pan.
Pour over the chicken in the cake pan and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top (be generous).
cover and bake at 350 for about an hour and a half. Serve with pasta of your Choice.

Italian Red Sauce

2008-09-10T14:14:00.004-06:00

This was given to me by our good friend Dave Porter. He served a mission in Italy were he learned how to make the sauce.
In a big sauce pan combine
1 Bottle of home canned tomatoes ( I sometimes use a quart size store bought can)(Rendy uses fresh tomatoes and purees them if you do this be sure and add 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar)
1 Large can of tomato paste
2 Tbs. Italian seasoning (Rendy uses fresh Italian herbs in his)
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1 medium onion diced
Let come to a boil over medium heat and then simmer a day or a couple of hours stirring occasionally.

Garlic Fries

2008-09-05T18:25:00.006-06:00

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons canola oil

3 large baking potatoes, 12 ounces each

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Heat the garlic and oil in a small saucepan over medium heat for 2 minutes. Strain the garlic from the oil with a small mesh strainer. Set both garlic and oil aside.
Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch sticks. In a large bowl, toss the oil, potatoes and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread the potatoes onto it in a single layer. Bake until golden and crisp, about 35 minutes.
Remove potatoes from the tray with a metal spatula. Toss with parsley, reserved garlic, and additional salt, to taste. Serve immediately.

**Sometimes I will just by a bag of steak fries from Wal-Mart. It seems to soak in the garlic taste more than real potatoes. I will also put mine in an oven safe bowl after they are cooked and top with cheese and put back in the oven for the cheese to melt.**

Corn on the Cob

2008-09-02T23:52:00.003-06:00

We picked up some corn on the cob from the farm and I wanted a new way to cook it. I found this recipe on Recipezaar.com (one of my fave recipe sites, if you couldn't tell!). Anyway, it was absolutely delicious! I didn't put any additional butter or salt on it after it was cooked - it was perfect right out of the pot! Also, I halved the recipe because. I was only cooking 5 ears of corn and I don't own a pot big enough for all that milk and water!

Ingredients:

1 gallon water
1 quart milk
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - I left this out since we didn't have any on hand - plus, I didn't think my kids would eat it.)
12 ears fresh corn, shucked and silk removed

Directions:

Place the water, milk, butter, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes in a large, heavy pot and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
Add the corn, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and let stand until needed.
Drain and serve hot, either plain or with the condiments of your choosing, such as oil, butter or maple syrup.

Salmon Ball

2008-09-01T16:59:00.006-06:00

This is a recipe that Grandma Sprague got when she went to a dinner at the Eugene Hotel.

1 16 oz. Can of Salmon ( I found that the red salmon though more expencive is the best)

1 8 oz. block of cream cheese

1 tsp. minced onions ( Jennie likes to use fresh ones I like the dehydrated ones. It's your Choice)

chopped nuts (optional because some do not like nuts myself the nuts make it good Walnut or peacans.

Clean bone and skin from salmon.

Add to soft cream cheese and minced onions.

Shape into a ball or a log and roll in the Nuts.

Refridgerate

Serve with crackers of your choice.

Cranberry Bliss Bars

2008-08-31T05:48:00.006-06:00

Cake
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup diced dried cranberries
6 ounces white chocolate, cut into chunks

Frosting
4-ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup diced dried cranberries

Drizzled Icing
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons vegetable shortening

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Make cake by beating butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, ginger, and salt and beat well. Gradually mix in flour until smooth. Mix 3/4 cup diced dried cranberries and white chocolate into the batter by hand. Pour batter into a well-greased 9x13" baking pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly across the pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until cake is light brown on the edges. Allow cake to cool.

3. Make frosting by combining softened cream cheese, 3 cups powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. When the cake has cooled, use a spatula to spread frosting over the top of the cake.

4. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of diced cranberries over the frosting on the cake.

5. Whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and shortening. Drizzle icing over the cranberries in a sweeping motion or use a pastry bag with a fine tip to drizzle frosting across the top of the cake.

6. Allow cake to sit for several hours, then slice the cake lengthwise (the long way) through the middle. Slice the cake across the width three times making a total of eight rectangular slices. Slice each of those rectangles diagonally creating 16 triangular slices.

Makes 16 bars.

Caramel Corn

2008-08-30T23:52:00.003-06:00

I wanted a treat tonight but didn't have much to work with. We had microwave popcorn, but that alone wasn't going to do it for me! I needed something simple since it's after 10:00 p.m. and I'm still working on my lesson for church tomorrow *procrastinator* I found this recipe on Recipezaar.com and it was delicious! It wasn't pretty though so I didn't take a picture.

Easy No-Bake Caramel Popcorn:

Ingredients

1 (4 ounce) bag microwave popcorn
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine

Directions

Pop the microwave popcorn and set aside in a pan or bowl lined with wax paper.
Combine butter, brown sugar and salt together in a saucepan
Heat until completely melted.
Pour over popped corn immediately.May be eaten warm or cool
Enjoy!

Carmel Pecans

2008-08-29T11:30:00.002-06:00

1/2 Cup Pecans
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp Butter

Mix butter and brown sugar together and bring to a boil. Add pecans and mix until creamy. Pour on parchment paper to dry. Sprinkle over ice cream. (Best with white chocolate gelato)

Balsamic Chicken & Alfredo

2008-08-29T11:26:00.003-06:00

2 Chicken Breasts, sliced thin
1 Tbsp Oil
1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tbsp Honey
8 Oz Pasta
1 Cup Alfredo Sauce (try Rachel's recipe:))
Seasons to taste

Bring Balsamic and Honey to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Heat oil in skillet, add chicken and seasonings and cook through. Bring a pot of water to boil, add pasta, cook until al dente. Pour Alfredo over hot pasta. Serve with chicken and drizzle Balsamic glaze.

Its super yummy!

Cranberry Sauce

2008-08-29T00:21:00.003-06:00

Already thinking about Thanksgiving :)

Ingredients:
1 c cranberries
2 T frozen concentrated O.J. (thawed)
1 1/4 t orange marmalade
1 t sugar

Directions:
Combine together in blender or food processor.

We double the recipe for larger parties because it just doesn't seem to make enough. I love this stuff! And it's totally worth buying a whole jar of orange marmalade even if you only use 1 1/4 teaspoon out of the whole jar!

Egg and Bacon Pie

2008-08-29T00:15:00.001-06:00

Old family favorite (taken from MyFamily)

Egg and Bacon Pie

Ingredients:
2 double pie crusts (prepare 2 pie tins)
8 eggs
1/2-3/4 c. milk
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. bacon (crisped) or ham...or sausage
shredded cheese (optional)

Directions:
Chop up bacon and spread in bottom of prepared pie pastry, pour egg mixture over bacon, put 2nd pie pastry on top and cook at 350* about 1/2 hr. or until golden brown.

Number Of Servings:12-16

Alfredo Sauce (Tastes like Olive Garden's)

2008-08-25T23:12:00.004-06:00

Ingredients:
1/2 C Butter
2 Cloves Garlic
2 C Heavy Cream
1/8 tsp Pepper
Pinch of Salt
1 1/2 C grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium/low heat.Add the garlic, cream, pepper and salt, and bring mixture to a simmer. Turn the heat down if the mixture reaches a rapid boil or it could boil over. You just want a simmer. Add the cheese, and continue to simmer sauce for 8 min. or until thick.

I will usually add more cheese to make it thicker. Sometimes Mark will add a mixture of equal amounts of water and corn starch to thicken as well.

White Chicken Chili

2008-08-25T23:07:00.005-06:00

Ingredients:
3 cans navy beans (Don't Drain)
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ c. butter
¼ c. flour
¾ c. chicken broth
2 c. half & half
1 tsp. tabasco
1½ tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
8 oz. can chopped green chilies
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped
1½ c. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
½ c. sour cream

Directions:
Saute garlic in 2 tsp. butter, brown chicken. Add remaining butter & whiskin flour.
Add broth and half & half, stirring constantly. Simmer for 5minutes. Stir in spices and then add everything except for the sour cream.Simmer for 20 minutes. Just before serving add sour cream.

I got this recipe from an old coworker. It is really yummy with tortilla chips!

Crockpot Beefy Taco Bean Soup

2008-08-25T18:39:00.002-06:00

2 lbs. rump roast (I use either hamburger or boneless/skinless chicken breasts)
1 pk taco seasoning
1 can Mexican style diced tomatoes (15 oz.)
1 small can green chiles
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
1 onion - chopped
2 beef bouillon cubes (I have also used beef stock which makes it a little less chili-like - but still very tasty!)
2 cans red kidney beans, (15 oz. each), rinsed, drained
Shredded cheddar cheese

Cut roast into bite sized chunks. Roll in taco seasoning and add to crock pot. Then add the tomatoes, chiles, tomato sauce, onion, and bouillon cubes. Cover and cook on LOW 6 hours or until meat is tender.

Add the drained beans and cook until the beans are heated through; around 30 minutes. Serve topped with cheese, and/or the toppings that you like. (I like to top it with sour cream, guacamole, olives and cheese. Then I cut flour tortillas into triangles and fry them up like chips - use that instead of a spoon - DELISH!)

I found this recipe at Cooking Cache.