Teranne's Cookbook

Chocolate covered Pretzel Sticks

2011-12-20T14:56:00.001-08:00

1 (12 0z) pkg of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (12 oz) pkg of pretzel rods (I like Rold Gold)

Toppings:

8 crushed Candy Canes (pictured)

Mini M&M's

Crushed Toffee

Crushed Nuts

Sprinkles

1/2 cup of white chocolate melted and drizzled over the top

Etc. - Just be creative!

Melt chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds at a time until melted -about 2 minutes (do not over cook - it will dry out your chocolate).

Using a spatula, smear the pretzel rod with chocolate -leaving about 2 inches where you are holding on. I hold the spatula steady and roll the pretzel against it to remove excess chocolate. Then dip the pretzel rod in the topping of your choice and set on a foil lined cookie sheet. Once the cookie sheet is full, put in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

2011-12-20T14:16:00.000-08:00

This was a SUPER EASY recipe! And it turned out SO GOOD!

In a crock pot:

2 pounds (2-16 oz jars) of salted dry roasted peanuts (can do 1/2 unsalted if you want)

48 oz of white chocolate (almond bark is what the original recipe called for, but it was so expensive I used CandiQuik vanilla).

4 oz of sweet German chocolate

12 oz of dark chocolate chips

Cook on lowest setting for 3 hours. (I only cooked mine for 2 hours because my crock pot seems to cook faster/hotter - so you will want to check it at the two hour mark - you don't want your chocolate to dry out)! Stir mixture completely. Lay out about 4 cookie sheets worth of wax paper. Drop by the tablespoon. Let harden. Store in an airtight container.

This made 130 chocolate peanut clusters for about $20.00. Not bad huh!?!

I found this recipe here on About.com. Thanks for sharing!

Peanut Butter Cookies

2011-12-20T14:05:00.000-08:00

I always double cookie recipes, so this comes to you already doubled... makes about 60 cookies!

1-1/2 cups butter (room temperature)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar (granulated)

1-1/2 cups peanut butter

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla

4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Beat in peanut butter. Then beat in the eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the peanut butter mixture and beat until well mixed.

Roll the batter into 1 inch balls. Place on a cookie sheet. Using a fork, make a criss-cross pattern on each cookie after dipping the fork in granulated sugar.

"Cooling Cookies" Tip

2011-12-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

With the holidays here and lots of baking taking place, I thought I would share a tip that has worked well for me...

If you place a sheet of wax paper between the cooling rack and the cookies, the cookies cool nicely without drying out!

Libby's Pumpkin Roll

2011-11-08T10:14:00.001-08:00

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Powdered Sugar

3/4 cup Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Ground Cloves

1/4 tsp Salt

3 Eggs

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup of Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

Filling:

1- 8oz pkg of Cream Cheese (room temperature)

1 cup Powdered Sugar

6 tbl Butter (softened)

1 tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 10x15 inch cookie sheet and then line it with wax paper. Grease and flour the wax paper. Also, sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with about a 1/4 cup of powdered sugar (you really want your towel powdered good so the cake doesn't stick when you want to unroll it).

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar until it thickens.

Beat in pumpkin. Stir in Flour Mixture. Spread batter evenly onto prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched (for dark colored pans, check at 11 minutes). Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off wax paper and roll up cake and towel together. Cool on a wire rack.

Filling: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until smooth.

Carefully unroll the cake and spread the cream cheese mix over the top.

Re-roll the cake and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (longer is better, it gives the cream cheese mix a chance to really firm up).

Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar and serve.

I found this recipe at Very Best Baking if you want to see the original. I didn't make any changes to this one, just followed the recipe- it turned out great. It was yummy and the perfect treat for Fall...

BUT- I think next time I will put a little less of the cream cheese mix, it was a little overbearing. I also thought it would be really good if I added a little grated orange peel to the cream cheese so that it wasn't such a heavy taste.

Applesauce

2011-10-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Recipe #1

4 medium Apples

1 cup Hot Water

1/4 cup White Sugar

1/4 tsp Cinnamon

Recipe #2

4 medium Apples

1 cup Hot Water

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/4 tsp Cinnamon

Quarter and core the apples. Place them in a pot with enough water to just cover them.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes - until tender. Drain water BUT save 1 cup of the hot water and put it back in the pot. Add sugar and cinnamon. Boil again for a few minutes.

At this point I just dumped the pot into the VitaMix and blended on 10 for about 2 seconds until all the apples were just blended (including the peels). But you can blend them in a blender or mash them with a potato masher.

I tried both recipes wondering which one would be better, and they tasted almost the exact same to me. The brown sugar recipe seems to have a hint more of the cinnamon flavor to it, but they were so close, I put them in the same tupperware to store in the fridge.

Lasts about 3 days in the fridge.

Wheat Muffins

2011-10-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

1 cup Oil

2 Eggs (beaten)

1 tsp Salt

2 cups Brown Sugar

2 cups Milk

2 tsp Baking Soda

2 tsp Vanilla

4 cups Whole Wheat Flour

Mix all ingredients together at the same time.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Makes about 2-1/2 dozen.

Thanks for this recipe Linda, it's been a Fall favorite in our house for years!

Alternatives:

1. Use 1/2 cup of oil instead, then add about a 1/2 cup of milk to compensate.

2. Add a handful of dried fruit. We have added raisins, dried cherries, cranberries... they all work great!

3. Turn it into a pumpkin bread. Add a can of pumpkin, 1 tbl cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cloves.

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

2011-10-10T11:52:00.001-07:00

This was a refreshing cool drink on a hot summer day!

In a Vita-Mix blender, put:

1 tray of ice (about 16 cubes)

2 large handfuls of frozen strawberries

4 scoops of Smuckers Strawberry Lemonade powder

Enough water to just cover contents

Blend on high until smooth.

Serve with a rim of sugar on the glass - yum! yum!

Thanks for this great summer treat mom, it's PERFECT!

A "Dora Fiesta" Birthday Cake

2011-10-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

My 3 year old LOVES Dora, so it was no surprise she wanted a Dora birthday cake. I decided to make Dora's house out of graham crackers, and then created an outside fiesta and forrest around it... (The forrest trees are sitting in cut paper towel rolls so they don't fall over).

The cake was made in a 12 inch round by 3 inch deep cake pan. I combined both a yellow cake mix and a chocolate cake mix to achieve a marble cake look and to fill the larger cake pan.

I frosted the cake with green frosting and then set the house in the middle. I added the Dora and Boots characters with balloons, a cake, and a present - fun. I made a path out of chocolate frosting and the stairs out of pretzel sticks. The "rocks" holding the candles are chocolate covered peanuts, and the "table" holding the cake is a twix. I added flowers and leaves with frosting tips to complete the outside look. I also brought the flower and leaves look to the bottom cake border- after I put a ring of chocolate frosting around it.

The house was made out of graham crackers (gingerbread style) using royal frosting as glue. (I also used the royal frosting to make the doors and windows - making it easy to just transfer them to the house once they were hard).

I added the porch (made out of brownies) and then frosted the whole thing with yellow frosting (trying to make it look more like stucco rather than a smooth surface). The pillars are a fat twisted pretzel stick that I piped leaves on to. The roof is frosted shredded wheat that I spread orange frosting over. I then piped orange around the roof and porch. I added the previously made doors and windows with a little dab of frosting to hold them on. And voila - Dora's house!

The trees were made out of ice cream cones and brownie cup cakes. I filled the cone with candy first. I then frosted the top of a regular size cupcake and flipped it over onto the cone. I continued by taking a mini size cupcake and doing the same thing- frosted the top and then flipped it over on top of the regular size cupcake. I frosted the whole thing green and then used a leaf tip to add leaves to the trees.

And there you have it... a "Dora Fiesta" birthday cake!

To see more pictures of this cake, check out the following slideshow...

Green Lantern Birthday Cake

2011-09-26T13:37:00.001-07:00

My Nephew wanted a Green Lantern cake for his 6th birthday. This is what I came up with...

The Front

The Back

The Cupcakes

Using 1 box of chocolate cake mix and two 9" cake pans, I made two round cakes. I layerd them on top of each other using vanilla frosting. As a fun addition I made a brownie base. I cooked the brownies on a cookie sheet to make them really thin. I used my 9" cake pan to cut a circle out of the middle and used that as my bottom layer under the cake; adhering the cake to the brownies with a layer of vanilla frosting.

I then crumb coated and final coated with black frosting.

I pre-made a cake topper of the Green Lantern symbol out of sparkly craft foam from Michael's craft store. Making sure it was the exact size of the top of the cake...

I set the topper on top of the cake after it was all frosted.

I used green icing to put a decorative trim around the bottom, write the happy birthday message, and attach the candles to the plastic table cloth I used to cover the cookie sheet.

I then wrapped a star garland around the bottom of the cake 2 times.

And, of course, you can't forget the Green Lantern action figure - because what would a Green Lantern birthday cake be without Hal Jordan?

I also made brownie cupcakes (mini and regular). I first topped them with white frosting and then used the green frosting to make the Green Lantern symbol (using Wilton's #46 cake tip upside down). I put a ring of black frosting around the outside of the cupcake and finished it up with 3 sprigs of the star garland popping out the middle, wrapping it around a pen to give it the twisted look.

Blueberry Yogurt Shake

2011-04-29T08:51:00.001-07:00

This has been my breakfast for the last couple weeks, I am loving it!

In a blender, I put:

5 ice cubes

12 oz-ish of vanilla yogurt

a handful of walnuts

a handful of frozen blueberries

Blend

I have to credit this idea to Sister Lloyd, one of my mission companions. She made yogurt shakes for breakfast. At the time, she let me try one and I didn't care for it - it reminded me too much of a drink that made me feel really sick when I was in Russia. Now, 10 years later, I have thought about Sister Lloyds' breakfast shakes and wanted to try one again - so this is what I came up with... of course there are hundred's of variations with all sorts of fruit and flavored yogurt - give it a try!

Pineapple Mango Salsa Chicken

2011-04-29T08:45:00.001-07:00

This is so good, and SO EASY-

In a crock pot:

4-5 Chicken Breasts

1- 24 oz-ish container of pineapple mango salsa (peach mango is good too)

Cook 4 hours

Shred Chicken and serve with tortillas

My sister Kaylene introduced me to this, and it is delicious - I love it!

French Fried Onion Crusted Chicken

2011-04-29T08:40:00.001-07:00

Crush a can of French Fried onions.

Firmly press a raw chicken breast into the onions until well coated.

Fry chicken in a frying pan with a little oil or butter until chicken is cooked through.

Enjoy!

Southwest Breakfast Burrito - 2

2011-04-29T08:26:00.001-07:00

Here is my 1st Southwest Breakfast Burrito.

For this one, I used my leftover ham from Easter, cubed it, and sauteed it with some sliced onions. I also fried up some southern style hashbrowns, combined them with the ham, and then poured some raw, beat eggs over the top and cooked through until the eggs were scrambled. I heated a flour tortilla and then put in my egg combination, topped it with cilantro, avocado, and --

Sour cream with taco seasoning mixed in. It added a great flavor and a hint of spice.

Delicious!

Strawberry Shortcake Castle Cake

2011-03-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

My 4 year old wanted a strawberry shortcake castle cake for her birthday this year. This is what I came up with...

Top

Bottom

Front

Back

Arial view

For the cake, I made 2 9x13 cakes, a chocolate and a white. I cut off the tops until they were flat and then cut off the rounded edges. I then cut them each in 1/2 so that I had 4 equal rectangles.

I layered 3 of the rectangles on top of each other, "gluing" them with frosting...

I then cut the 4th piece in quarters and "glued" 2 of those pieces to each other and then to the top center of the cake. I then crumb coated, put it in the freezer for 1/2 an hour, and then frosted with white frosting.

Hint: I whipped the frosting until it was soft and fluffy - it made it a lot easier to frost the cake.

Candy I used to decorate: Twizzlers pull n' peel licorice for the edging, pink wafer cookies for the doors and windows, strawberry whoppers around the top of the tiers, and a strawberry hard candy on top of the tower cones with green icing pipped on top for the leaves.

I also had some brownie cupcakes left over from the cones so I used them as "planters" on the sides of the castle, holding a "big" strawberry.

For the cones: I filled the cone with candy. I made cupcake brownies, regular size and mini size.

I frosted and inverted the regular cone, and then did the same with the mini cone. I then frosted them with pink icing and topped it with pink sugar sprinkles. (These were a BIG hit with the kids).

The Cones

I put a couple ideas from betty crocker castle cake, and cupcake cones - with my own twist of everything made of ice cream, candy, and cake from the strawberry shortcake movies. It was a fun creation!

Granola

2011-02-23T13:34:00.000-08:00

Try as a cereal, a yogurt topping, or an ice cream topping

In a bowl, combine

1/2 cup butter (1 stick) - melted

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

mix until smooth

In a large bowl, combine

5 cups of oats (I use Quaker Old Fashioned)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tbl cinnamon

1 cup crushed nuts (I used walnuts)

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until well mixed.

Pour out on a large cookie sheet (mine is a 13x18).

Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Cool on cookie sheet.

Add :

1/2 cup of raisins while cooling.

Store in an air tight container or bag.

Other fun combinations could be:

Craisins and Macadamia nuts

Dried Cherries and Almonds

Dried Bananas and Coconut

Chicken Lasagna

2011-02-23T13:15:00.001-08:00

9 Lasagna Noodles (cooked according to box directions - I don't like oven ready)

*Frozen Spinach - defrosted

3 Chicken Breast - cooked and shredded

*Ricotta Cheese

*Italian Sausage - crumbled

*Spaghetti sauce

Cream Cheese Sauce (see recipe here or below)

1/2 lb of mozzarella cheese - shredded

(*As much as you like)

In a 9x 13 Pyrex, layer:

3 lasagna noodles

shredded chicken

crumbled sausage

ricotta cheese and

spinach

Add:

cream cheese sauce and

spaghetti sauce

Add 3 more noodles and repeat.

Then add 3 more noodles and repeat again - with whatever you have left over.

Top with mozzarella cheese

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes...

Cream Cheese Sauce

2011-02-23T13:06:00.000-08:00

1- 8oz pkg cream cheese

3/4 cups milk

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp garlic powder

In a sauce pan, melt cream cheese- stirring constantly.

Add remaining ingredients.

Continue stirring until well mixed and heated through.

Serve with slices of French Bread.

To spice it up, add finely chopped jalepenos or green chilis.

I also use this sauce in my Chicken Lasagna Recipe - it's great!

Dangerouos Foods

2011-02-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

Over the last several months I am becoming aware of the dangerous chemicals, and even molecular modifications in our food. It has been overwhelming to learn about it. I feel that even though I am trying to feed my family healthy foods, evil and conspiring men in high positions are making that nearly impossible...

But the first step to changing something is to become aware. If you know there is a problem, and then know what the problem is, then you can start to figure out how to fix the problem.

I would say step 2 is to share what I have learned with others. Now it's not just one voice, but many. So, I am sharing what I have learned recently in hopes that if many of us take this seriously, a change for the better will occur, for us and generations that follow (who will probably be the most affected by it).

I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that I am reading labels before I buy anything.
Here are 4 areas that need some serious consideration:

Genetically Modified Foods (GM or GMO foods):
Sterility in the offspring by the 3rd generation hampsters AND MUCH MORE...

Why GM crops are a threat to your health/what are the health risks/how to avoid them
Everything you HAVE TO KNOW about dangerous Genetically Modified foods

Europe stood up to GM food companies and it was banned within a week... GM foods are thriving in America!

Don't eat:
SOY - Soy myths exposed
CORN
CANOLA OIL
COTTON OIL - Dr. Mercola interviews Dr. Rudi Moerck on cooking oils
Hawaiian Papaya
Sugar from Sugar Beets
Some varieties of Zucchini
Crookneck Squash

What can you do?
Companies don't have to label GMO foods - but here is a brochure that exposes them...
Non-GMO food brochure
Print it! Carry it with you to the grocery store!

Aspartame:
If it says sugar-free it contains an actual poison as a substitute... I have found it in all gums and mints at the checkout counters- plus more!
Aspartame's dangers/Side Effects/FDA Approval explained

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS):
which is a GMO sugar made from corn starch
Sweet Deception
Why corn is making you fat!

Sugar may be bad, but this is far worse
Why HFCS is far worse than sugar

Pay attention to the terms:
Sucralose - it's an organic compound that is 600 times sweeter than sugar.
Dextrose - bulking agent - HFCS sugar
Maltodextrin - bulking agent - HFCS sugar

And they are working on changing the name now so that people stop recognizing it as easily and avoiding buying it.

Hydrogenated or Partially Hydrogenated (aka Trans Fats):
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://photos.demandstudios.com/195/60/fotolia_4115053_XS.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.livestrong.com/article/173028-what-is-wrong-with-hydrogenated-oils/&usg=__MptCZ5VfWTHxGAnFaFcmwQT4LGA=&h=283&w=425&sz=46&hl=en&start=61&sig2=DZdtP0JQ9HweXm8KxPnX7w&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=ap53y5NbEzucNM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhydrogenated%2Bcells%26start%3D60%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=5DpdTba4A5PGsAOXn-XOCg
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FL8e8C7zx14/0.jpg&imgrefurl=http://wn.com/hydrogenated_vegetable_oil&usg=__wC_7fzNrElZqeovd0IxOyDSz1vg=&h=360&w=480&sz=16&hl=en&start=8&sig2=KT0w-gK2n4sywQYwX7Z2wQ&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=mHhz3UengmIvYM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=129&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhydrogenated%2Boil%2Bcells%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=0TxdTf-gLYqWsgO4hZnXCg

What can you do?
http://www.ehow.com/how_5962881_rid-cells-hydrogenated-oils.html

Alfredo Sauce

2011-02-15T15:29:00.000-08:00

1-1/2 cups of milk

1-1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup parmesan

6 egg yolks

salt and pepper

Heat milk and cream in a heavy bottom sauce pan until it begins to simmer. Turn off heat and slowly whip in cheese, then remove from heat.

Place egg yolks in a separate bowl and slowly whip in a portion of hot milk/cream mixture in. Slowly add egg yolk mixture back into cream. Place on LOW heat. Stir and simmer. Remove from heat to thicken.

Season to taste.

Spicy Hamburger and Rice

2011-02-15T15:23:00.000-08:00

In a frying pan, brown 2 lbs of hamburger with:

2 tsp onion salt

1 tbl cumin

1 tbl chili powder

a couple shakes of crushed red peppers

add:

2 cans of mexican stewed tomatoes - diced or chopped

4 zucchini cut into 1/4 inch rounds and then cut into quarters. Steamed.

Simmer for about 10 minutes.

Serve over rice.

Top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, olives, avocado...

Eat with Corn chip scoops.

I love that this recipe is a little spicy. Thanks mom - and Emma (: This one's a keeper!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

2011-02-15T14:43:00.000-08:00

4 Chicken Breasts cut into bite size pieces

1 egg

Cornstarch

Oil

Sauce*

Plate 1 : Beat Egg

Plate 2: Pile Cornstarch

*Sauce:

With a whisk, mix-

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup vinegar

4 Tbls ketchup

1 Tbl soy sauce

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Set aside.

Dip chicken pieces into egg and then roll in cornstarch.

Fry chicken pieces in oil until golden.

Place chicken in a 9x13 pyrex.

Pour sauce over chicken pieces.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour - stirring chicken every 15 minutes (evens the sauce as it thickens).

Serve with rice!

Peach Cobbler

2011-02-14T14:28:00.001-08:00

This is an easy dessert and it has simple ingredients so I always seem to have them on hand...

1/2 cup of butter (melted) Pour into a 9x13 pyrex

In a separate bowl:

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup milk

1-1/2 tsp baking powder

1-1/4 tsp salt

Beat together until it is a smooth mixture.

Pour over butter but DO NOT mix.

1 quart can of peaches drained. Evenly place in the batter (I use peach halves and peach slices... depends on what I have on hand).

Mix:

1/4 cup of sugar

1/4 tsp of cinnamon

1/8 tsp of nutmeg

Sprinkle evenly on top

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

This is a thin recipe - if you like it thick and cakey - double the batter but put in the same amount of butter, peaches, and topping mix.

Meat Loaf Sandwich

2011-02-14T13:43:00.001-08:00

This is a great left-over lunch after a meat loaf dinner!

Two slices of bread smothered with mayo and ketchup

Slices of mozzarella cheese

Meat loaf (I like to heat it up a little first)

Lettuce

Yum! Yum!

Meat Loaf

2011-02-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

This is a moist and flavorful recipe for meat loaf!

In an 8x8 oven safe dish, combine:

1/3 cup of chopped onions

1/3 cup of red peppers

1/3 cup of green peppers

3 garlic cloves minced

1-1/4 tsp of chilly powder

1-1/4 tsp of dried sage

1-1/4 tsp of salt

1 tsp of pepper

3 tbls of fresh parsley (optional)

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup worcestershire sauce

2/3 cup of dried bread crumbs

2 eggs beaten

2 lbs of hamburger (not frozen)

Using your hands, squish and moosh until evenly mixed:

Then pat down until flat:

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes

Add topping:

1 cup of ketchup

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/2 tsp of dried mustard

Return to oven for another 10 minutes (you can turn the oven to broil if you don't want the sauce so drippy):

See meat loaf sandwiches for a yummy left-over lunch!

This is my grandma payzant's recipe. She had a different one when I was young, but found this one a couple years back and we have loved it. It is a moist and flavorful recipe - and makes great left-overs. Thanks for sharing grandma!

Breakfast Skillet

2011-02-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

In a large frying pan:

melt butter

sautee diced onion and red pepper

add:

diced potato (I used a pre-cooked baked potato)

diced ham (I used sandwich meat)

once all that is fried according to your liking, add:

whipped eggs

Stir until eggs are cooked

Remove from heat

Top with shredded cheddar cheese

Serve with Ranch Dressing and Toast

Taco Hamburger

2011-02-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

Brown 1 lb of ground beef

Add: 1 - 8 oz can of tomato sauce

1/2 tbl of garlic powder

1/2 tbl of onion powder

1/2 tbl of oregano

Salt to taste

You can adjust seasoning to your liking...

This recipe was shared with me by a filipino woman my husband worked with - she said it was a filipino chili - she gave me no set recipe, just a list of ingredients - so I don't think I have ever got it to turn out like hers, but I have adapted it so that it is now my favorite beef for tacos.

Front Loader Birthday Cake

2011-02-07T12:51:00.001-08:00

My son wanted a digger cake for his 6th birthday, and this is the result:

I used a regular 9x13 pyrex for the bottom and a 8.5x4.5 pyrex for the digger. I cut the bubbles off the top to make them flat, flipped the cake over, and then crumb coated the bottom cake with chocolate frosting and put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes. I cut about 1/3 of the 8x4 cake off one end and stood it on top of the remaining 2/3. I then crumb coated it with white frosting and put it in the freezer (note: I put the digger on the back side of a dinner plate to crumb coat it and freeze it). I then frosted the bottom with chocolate frosting and the digger with orange frosting - while they were still separated. Then I used a large spatula to carefully transfer the digger to the chocolate cake - touching up with frosting where needed.

Tip: When frosting a cake - after you crumb coat it - use a glass of hot water to put your spatula in and get the metal warmed up. Dry the spatula on a towel and then use it to smooth the frosting.

Tip: For the base, I just flipped over a cookie sheet and wrapped it with a piece of a white plastic table cloth - it makes a big, flat surface to work on that is easily moveable. It is also easy to clean frosting or mess-ups off the plastic, just use a damp rag. You'll just want to make sure you have that much room in your fridge if you are not serving it right away (:

Then I added the candy: Twix for the front loader arms and the exhaust pipe, Reeses Pieces for the lights, and Chocolate Donuts for the wheels. I also used a quarter of a chocolate Graham Cracker for the front loader and then crushed a bunch more to make dirt for the cake and the cupcakes...

How I would make it better now: Looking at the pictures, I would pipe chocolate frosting around the windows, and put the lights on with a little blob of the same frosting to outline them as well. I think it would make it look complete!

Chicken (Tuna) Casserole

2011-01-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

In a 3 quart glass pyrex bowl, put:

1 - 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom

1 - 12 oz can of evaporated milk

1 - 12 oz can of chicken, drained (or 2 - 5 oz cans of tuna fish)

blend well with a whisk

Add 1 bag of egg noodles (cooked according to directions on bag)

Mix well and add milk if extra sauce is needed:

Top with crushed potato chips

Bake at 375 for about 25-30 minutes or until bubbling

Artichoke Chicken Alfredo

2010-12-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

I have yet to create or find a really good Alfredo Sauce, so I use 2 McCormicks Alfredo Packets, made according to directions (plus salt and pepper).

Add:

3 Chicken Breasts (sauteed and cut into bite size pieces)

1 can of Artichoke Hearts in water (drained and sauteed until tender)

8 oz of Fettucini Noodles (cooked according to box directions)

Diced Olives are a fun addition to sautee with the artichoke hearts, but we just opened a can and ate them on the side this time.

Crock-Pot Beef

2010-12-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

This isn't an exact recipe, but I haven't put my crock-pot beef recipe on here yet...

To steaks, roasts, or whatever I've got, I add:

2 Beef Bouillon Cubes

A touch of Liquid Smoke

A-1 Steak Sauce (to cover the meat)

Balsamic Vinegar (a couple shakes)

1 cup of Water

Salt, Pepper, and Onion Powder to taste

Cook until meat is tender (I usually cook about 6 hours)

Egg Syrup Sandwiches

2010-12-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

This is a sweet twist to an egg and ham sandwich...

I put together the typical:

Scrambled eggs

Fried Ham slices

Sliced Cheddar Cheese

But I toasted the slices of White Bread in a frying pan with a Tbl of Syrup.

Note: Make sure the syrup gets all over the bread - it will absorb it instantly. AND cook it low and watch carefully - if it burns at all, it tastes really burned.

Chicken Pot Pie (Biscuit Style)

2010-10-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

This casserole tastes like a chicken pot pie - but better ( :

In a 9x13 Pyrex, layer:

Steamed Vegetables (I use a blend of broccoli, cauliflower, and corn - slices of yellow squash are good too. Of course there is also the traditional peas and carrots).

Sauteed Chicken* in bite size pieces

Sauce*

Biscuit dough topping*

Cheddar Cheese grated

*Sauteed Chicken

Saute in butter and season with:

Salt, pepper, onion powder, and rosemary

I seasoned at a level of about medium-heavy because the sauce drowns out the flavor

*Sauce

1 (10.5oz) can of Cream of Chicken

1/2 (10.5oz) can of Cream of Mushroom

1 big spoonful of Sour Cream

Season lightly with salt, onion powder, and rosemary

*Biscuit Dough Topping

2 cups of "Jiffy all purpose baking mix" (I hate Bisquick!)

Water (I use enough to make the dough able to pour out of the bowl and spread over the top without being drippy and runny)

Season lightly with salt, onion powder, and garlic

1 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated

I baked it in the oven at 380 degrees for about 35 minutes - until the biscuit dough on top is firm and golden.

Beef Stroganoff

2010-07-11T19:23:00.001-07:00

1 lb of ground beef (browned with salt, pepper, and onion powder to taste)

add:

1 can of cream of mushroom

1 can of cream of onion

1 lrg spoonful of sour cream

cook on medium heat until warmed through

add:

1/2 - 3/4 of a 1 lb bag of medium egg noodles (cooked according to directions on package)

Stir together and serve!

I threw this recipe together tonight wanting to use my ground beef... I got a kitchen aid for Mother's Day, and the food grinder attachment finally arrived via mail. I tried it out and turned a roast into hamburger - really good!!! My complaint about hamburger is that I don't like all the "stuff" mixed in with the meat - yuk. This was wonderful! And I must say that this thrown together recipe turned out really good. My husband suggested stroganoff and my first thought was, "I don't have a box of it in the cupboard," so I experimented - and I'm impressed with how it turned out - it actually tasted like stroganoff (: and of course, better than a box.

Pasta Salad

2010-06-25T12:28:00.001-07:00

Penne Pasta, cooked according to package directions

Chicken, grilled or sauteed, diced

Tomatoes, diced

Baby Carrotts, thinly sliced

Olives, sliced

Cheddar Cheese, cubed

When I have it, I also like to add:

Eggs, Hard Boiled, sliced

Green or Red Pepper, diced

Celery, sliced

Raisins

Top with Ranch or Italian Dressing (I like Bernstain's Cheese Fantastico)

Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese

This is an easy summer meal I like to make. The ingredients seem to change each time I make it because I just throw in what I have on hand. It's not fancy, it's just quick and easy. It's also light and cold. I don't like big, hot meals when it's hot outside. This works perfect to just throw together when I'm hot and don't know what to fix.

Peanut Butter Roll-ups (with jelly)

2010-06-25T12:20:00.001-07:00

Flour Tortillas

Peanut Butter

Jelly

I warm up the tortillas for about 10 seconds. Smear with peanut butter, spread jelly, roll it up and serve.

Necessity is the mother of all invention! We made these a few years ago when we didn't have any bread in the house. It has been a favorite ever since. It is fast, easy, and a great snack or lunch for the kids.

Beef and Broccoli

2010-06-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

1 pound of boneless round steak, cut into thin strips (I used Carne Asada Beef - it's thin)

1/2 small onion, diced

1/2 tsp salt

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 tsp ginger

Gravy:

Mix 1/4 cup flour in 1/2 cup cold water until smooth.

In a glass measuring cup, mix

1-1/2 cups of Hot Water

2 Beef Bouillon Cubes

2 tbl white sugar

2-1/2 tbl soy sauce

Dissolve beef cubes and sugar

Add flour mixture, set aside.

2-3 crowns of fresh broccoli, steamed

Directions:

Cook steak in a large frying pan, skillet, or wok with a little oil. Add salt and onions until tender. Add garlic, sautee for another minute. Add ginger, and gravy. Bring to a boil and then simmer about 5 minutes. Add steamed Broccoli. Mix well. Serve over rice.

Another great Excellent Eats recipe (with just a couple little changes)!

Bajio Sweet Rice

2010-06-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

1 tbl Oil (I use Canola)

1/2 Onion (diced)

1/2 Bunch of Cilantro (chopped, no stems)

1-1/3 cup Rice

3 cups Chicken Broth

1/3 cup Sugar (Use 1/4 cup to still have the flavor without the "really sweet")

Onion Powder

Salt

In a large frying pan or skillet, sautee onion in oil until tender. Add Cilantro and Rice. Fry until rice starts to turn a touch golden. Combine chicken broth and sugar, mix until sugar is dissolved. Add broth to frying pan. Sprinkle onion powder and salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Simmer for about 20 minutes until rice is cooked through.

I tried this recipe to see if my kids would actually eat rice if it had sugar in it... they did! Chalk another great recipe up to Excellent Eats. This rice is so tasty. I added salt and onion powder to mine and it was a perfect combination. This would go great with BBQ chicken, we had it with a Crock Pot Roast and Peas and Corn... it was the perfect addition. It added that sweet/salty taste and good flavor.

Chicken Penne Rustica

2010-05-11T15:15:00.001-07:00

3 chicken breasts (cooked and sliced into bit size pieces - grilled is better if you can)

4 slices of thick cut bacon (chopped)

16 oz box of penne pasta

1/2 red pepper (diced)

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/8 tsp paprika

Sauce:

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 cup marsala wine substitute (3 tbl apple juice, 1 tbl red wine vinegar, enough chicken broth to equal the 1/2 cup)

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

2 cups heavy cream

In a large skillet or pan, cook bacon. Remove bacon and keep about 1 tsp of grease to sautee garlic. Add all "sauce" ingredients. Cook pasta according to directions on the box. Add pasta to sauce. Add chicken, bacon, red peppers, parmesan cheese, and paprika. Mix thoroughly. Spread in a 9x13 pyrex dish. Top with:

1/2 tsp chopped rosemary

1/2 lb grated mozzarella cheese

Bake at 475 degrees for 10 minutes (just to melt and golden the cheese)

I got this from Excellent Eats, check out the original recipe from there!

Easy Cheese Bread

2010-05-11T14:45:00.001-07:00

This is a thick, heavy bread recipe that is really easy, just mix the ingredients and cook - no kneading, rolling, etc.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a 5x9" greased bread loaf pan, sprinkle 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.

In a large bowl, mix:

3 cups Bread Flour

1 tbl Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

1/8 tsp Black Pepper

1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper* (optional)

Then add:

4-5 oz of extra-sharp cheddar cheese (cut into 1/2 inch cubes)

mix until each cheese cube is coated with the flour mix.

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

1 1/4 cup Milk

3 tbl Butter (melted)

1 egg (lightly beaten)

3/4 cup Sour Cream

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. The dough will be heavy and thick.

Using a spatula, pour dough into prepared loaf pan. Level surface, then sprinkle 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese over the top.

Bake on center oven rack for about 50 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Bread will be a deep golden brown. When it's done, let it cool a few minutes in the pan, then take bread out of pan and cool for about 1 hour. Cut into slices and serve!

*The Cayenne Pepper gives it a good flavor, a bit of spice, and a fun change.

Unfortunately, my family didn't like it, so I make it without that ingredient now. But it sure was fun the 1st time!

Another Excellent Eats recipe... LOVE IT!!!

Southwest Breakfast Burrito

2010-04-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

Using my leftover ingredients from the Chicken Taquito Wraps, I made breakfast burritos - yum!

In a frying pan:

1 Tbl butter

Sautee corn and black beans until warmed through

Add:

1 spoonful of fresh salsa

Raw eggs whipped with salt, pepper, and onion powder

Cook until scrambled

Wrap eggs in a flour tortilla (heated in the microwave for about 15 seconds) with grated cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro

Bon Appetite!

Chicken Taquito Wraps

2010-04-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

2 chicken breasts (cooked and diced)

Season with salt, pepper, and onion powder while cooking

In 1 tbl of Canola Oil, sautee:

1/4 cup of diced red peppers

1/4 cup of finely sliced green onions

Add:

1/3 cup corn

1/2 cup black beans

1 Tbl fresh minced cilantro

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

a shake of crushed red peppers

Remove from heat and add:

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (can substitute Monterey Jack)

Fill 6 large flour tortillas, folding up sides and rolling over filling

Fry in Canola Oil until golden

Serve with guacamole:

1 large avocado, mashed (I added an extra 1/2 an avocado because I had it - and I like it chunky)

1/4 cup mayo

1/4 cup sour cream

salt to taste

garlic powder to taste

onion powder to taste

Add a little fresh salsa to the guacamole to spice it up a bit (:

Variation: I made this at my sister's house and she didn't have red peppers or cilantro, so we put in a 4 oz can of green chilis - it was really good!

I got this idea from the Excellent Eats blog. It looked so yummy, I just had to try it. Like everything else I make, I changed it, so if you want the original recipe, check it out here.

Mini Fruit Kabobs

2010-04-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

My kids love to eat fruit bits on a stick...

I will cut up strawberries, bananas, apples, celery, etc. and then put them on a toothpick and let the kids dip them in a peanut butter yogurt dip (see recipe here).

Also, if you don't want to take the time to make all the little kabobs, I will put a little pile of each fruit on their own plates and give them 1 toothpick so they can make their own kabob to dip.
This is the plate I take the fruit from, not how much I give each kid (:

Sizzler Toast

2010-04-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

This is our version of Sizzler's bread...

Slice of white bread or French bread (cut in a diagonal)

On one side:

butter or margarine

parmesan cheese

dash of onion salt

dash of garlic salt

Cook until golden in a frying pan, skillet, or griddle

I like to turn the bread over and lightly brown the plain side too (but sizzler doesn't).

German Pancakes (with a twist)

2010-04-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law makes these for us on special occasions. They look so fun that I think they should taste like more than just a pancake, so I changed the recipe a bit (traditionally the recipe calls for 2 tsp of white sugar and no cream cheese)...

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Melt 4 tbl of butter in an 9x13 pyrex (I found a recipe on-line that used an 8x8 (2 quarts) pyrex and they turned out thicker - I want to try that).

Meanwhile, in a blender, combine:

6 eggs

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

1 tsp salt

2 tbl brown sugar

8 oz cream cheese softened

Blend until well mixed (if you don't use a blender, it won't turn out the same)

Pour into preheated, buttered pan

Bake at 450 for 25 minutes

Top with your favorite toppings:

syrup, powdered sugar, cherry pie filling, etc.

Orange Jello Salad

2010-04-05T14:44:00.002-07:00

1 lrg box of Orange Jello (made according to directions on the box)

Once the jello is set:

1 lrg box of instant Vanilla Pudding (made according to directions on the box)

Once pudding is set:

Add 1 tub (12 oz) of frozen whipped cream (softened)

Fold in until blended

Pour pudding mixture over jello

Top with shredded cheddar cheese

Garnish (for presentation): serve salad squares on a lettuce leaf

Variation: I like to add a can of crushed pineapple and a can of mandarin oranges to the jello. Just make sure to drain the juice so the jello sets (not pictured - I wanted my kids to help me eat it (: That would have been a lot of jello for just me)

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

2010-04-05T14:44:00.001-07:00

6 large potatoes, boiled, peeled*, and shredded in a 9x13 pyrex.

(*see tip here to make it easier)

In a sauce pan, combine:

1/4 cup margarine (melt before adding the rest)

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup

1 pt sour cream

1/4 pound of shredded cheddar cheese

heat on medium until cheese melts, then add

1/4 cup of chopped green onions (optional)

(if you don't want to put onions in, but want the flavor, use onion powder instead)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Pour sauce over shredded potatoes and mix together until even

Top with Corn Flake mix:

2 Tbl melted margarine

1 cup of crushed Corn Flakes

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Brown Sugar Ham

2010-04-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

I use a canned ham (found with the fresh cut meats in your grocery store)

Cut criss-cross lines across the top, about 1/4 inch deep

Place a whole Clove in the center of each diamond

Bake according to package directions

Remove cloves

Drizzle with Brown Sugar Glaze, which is:

1/4 cup of brown sugar

1 Tbl of pineapple juice (from the can of pineapple rings that go on top)

If the glaze is too thick, add a little more juice. You want the glaze to spread but not just run off the top.

Top with pineapple rings and serve!

(I use a can of Dole pineapple rings)

Variation: I once used a pineapple coconut juice instead of just pineapple juice for the glaze - it was really yummy! It's a lot sweeter, but it gives the ham some good flavor!

Also, it's fun to put a maraschino cherry on a toothpick and put one in the center of each pineapple ring.

Green Bean Casserole

2010-04-05T14:00:00.001-07:00

In a 9x9 pyrex:

2 cans (10.5 oz) of cream of mushroom

3/4 cup of milk

mix well

Add a 14 oz bag of frozen whole green beans

Mix

Top with French Fried Onions

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Deviled Eggs

2010-04-05T13:50:00.001-07:00

Hard boil eggs

After they are cooled, remove the shells

Cut egg in half, lengthwise

Remove yolks, placing them in a bowl

Set white parts aside

To the bowl of yolks:

Add a spoonful of Mayonnaise

Add a squeeze of Mustard

Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix well

Fill the hole in the white part of the egg with a spoonful of yolk mix

Top with Paprika

Garnish with pickles

Chicken Enchiladas (Green Sauce)

2010-04-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

flour tortilla

corn tortilla

Fry tortillas in oil for just a minute... they need to be cooked; not soggy, but not crispy either.

I make 8 flour and 6 corn tortillas because of different likes in my family (and that's what fits in a 9x13 pyrex). Also, I use La Burrita corn tortillas. They are yellow and thicker and I like their consistency after they are cooked.

In a sauce pan, combine:

2 - 10 oz cans of Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

2 - 10.5 oz cans of Cream of Chicken

1 big spoonful of Sour Cream

3 tsp of Garlic (minced)

1 Tbl Salt

Warm through

Add 3 Chicken Breasts (cooked and shredded) to the sauce

Add 1 Tbl of finely chopped fresh Cilantro leaves

Place a spoonful of sauce in the center of the tortilla. Fold sides in and then roll up (see my other Enchilada recipe here for a picture of them rolled up if needed).

Place in a greased 9x13 pyrex

Add a little milk to the remaining sauce and pour over the top of the stuffed tortillas.

Top with shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

Cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbling and cheese is desired crispiness.

Panzerotti Bread Dough

2010-03-26T09:48:00.000-07:00

In a small bowl or drinking glass:

1 Tbl yeast

1/2 cup of warm water

1 pinch of sugar

Mix. Set aside until mixture starts to bubble

In a large bowl:

4 cups of flour (make it like a volcano)

In the center of the flour volcano:

2 Tbl oil

1 tsp salt

yeast mixture

Mix together with your hands pulling in flour from the sides.

Add about 1 cup of water (add it about a 1/4 cup at a time and mix, then add in another 1/4 cup, and so forth)

Mix until dough is a little tacky but firm.

Sprinkle flour on the counter and knead the dough for about 5 minutes or until smooth and springy.

Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes in a warm place.

For directions on how to use this dough for panzerotti, see my recipe here.

Panzerotti

2010-03-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

with sausage

with chicken

See Panzerotti bread dough recipe here.

Filling:

1 can of petite diced tomatoes (with basil, garlic, and oregano), drain juice

1/2 lb of diced mozzarella (as much as you have of tomato)

2 chicken breasts, diced, sauteed in butter, and seasoned with salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and/or italian seasoning to taste.

1/4 lb of sausage (jimmy dean). Use italian sausage, or regular (with italian seasoning added to it). Cook, crumble, drain fat.

After the bread dough rises:

Pinch or cut dough into balls

Roll dough ball out flat

Place a spoonful of filling on half

Fold dough over filling

Seal with your fingers - press dough together tightly around the edges

Fry in Canola Oil on medium heat (it should take a couple minutes to cook - if they brown too fast, turn down the heat or they will be doughy in the middle). The amount of oil I use depends on the pan size I'm using - the oil should cover the bottom half of the filled bread dough roll.

Watch the coloring, when the bottom turns a golden brown, flip over until the other side is golden brown too. Take out of the oil and salt immediately.

Makes 15-20 rolls

Tip: You want to make sure you have as much juice out of your filling as possible. Moisture keeps the dough from sticking together - it won't seal, which means lots of popping when you put it in the oil.

Side: If you want this as a side instead of the main dish - serve with spaghetti and a green salad

This is an Italian dish. I LOVE Italian food! I haven't been to Italy... yet, but my friend Holly has. She brought this recipe home with her. I've tweaked it a little, but I've been using it for almost 7 years ago. It's a fun one in our home. I don't make it that often because it takes some time - and if you know me, or have read my left column, you know I start dinner last minute - meaning, it usually has to be quick and easy. But, when I do make it, my family says, "mom, you made such a good dinner, I love this one (my kids are 5, 3, and 1 years old)." (:

Beef Sandwich

2010-03-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

I used the left-over beef from my pulled pork/beef recipe to make this lunch.

1 loaf of French Bread (Cut the top off)

Fill the loaf with meat (see my pulled pork/beef recipe)

Top with Cheese (I used cheddar and Monterey Jack)

Broil in oven until cheese is melted

Replace top (which I spread with mayo)

Cut and serve (I also added Mezzetta's mild pepper rings to mine- yum, it added the perfect flavor and spice)
(no - I did NOT cook the top part of the French Bread loaf - I just put it on the cookie sheet for the picture)

Rainbow Birthday Cake

2010-03-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

My 3 year old wanted a rainbow cake for her birthday. This is what I came up with...

I made two round cakes (rainbow chip of course). I cut them in half and "glued" the halves together with frosting. I then took a small cup and cut the bottom out so they were arched. I then "glued" them to the board and crumb coated - then had fun frosting and decorating. My daughter is really liking princesses right now, so the princess was a surprise (: (That is a bird on the rainbow behind the princess if you can't tell).

For more details on crumb coating, frosting, or decorating ideas, see http://www.bettycrocker.com/baking/birthdays/

Peeling a Potato tip!

2010-03-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

This is a GREAT tip! My life in peeling potatoes has just gotten easier - check it out...

Thanks for the e-mail Kim! I am so glad you passed it on.

Creamy Chicken with Onion

2010-03-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

In a frying pan, cook

3 chicken breasts (I like to fry them in butter until golden, cut into strips, and then cook through on low heat).

in a separate frying pan, sautee

1 small onion sliced, in

1 Tbl olive oil

add in

1 can of cream of chicken

1 can of cream of mushroom

1/2 cup of milk

onion powder, and salt to taste

chicken strips

(I also want to try putting a can of artichoke hearts in it - I think that would be yummy)

Warm through. Serve by itself or over rice.

Variation:

Follow steps above, but add:

1 can of cream of broccoli

1 can of golden mushroom

instead of the cream of chicken and cream of mushroom above.

Variation 2:

1 can cream of chicken

1 can cream of celery

Veggie Sandwich

2010-03-02T14:48:00.001-08:00

A roommate in college started me on these and I have loved them ever since!

Two slices of wheat bread

Mayo

4 saltine crackers

Sliced tomato, green pepper, cucumber, avocado

Romaine Lettuce

Alfalfa Sprouts

Any other veggies that sound good

Salt and pepper

1 tsp. olive oil

Thanks Shelly - I will forever be grateful that you introduced me to your veggie sandwiches, despite my initial protests (:

Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry

2010-02-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

3 chicken breasts (cooked and diced)
2 pkgs of veggies steamed (11 oz) I use Steamfresh frozen vegetables - the baby broccoli blend with soybeans, carrots, and water chestnuts
3/4 of a 16 oz box of angel hair pasta (cooked according to box directions)
4 garlic cloves minced
2 Tbl canola oil

1/2 Tbl ground ginger

1 Tbl salt

In a separate bowl combine:
1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce
2 Tbl cornstarch

In a frying pan saute garlic in canola oil, add ginger and salt, add cooked chicken, add steamed vegetables, add cooked noodles, add teriyaki sauce mixture. Warm through and serve.

Additions:
Add soy sauce, and crushed red peppers (to spice it up a little) to taste.

Ham and Egg Sandwiches

2010-02-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

In a bowl, combine:

Hard Boiled Eggs, diced

Baked Ham, diced

Pickle, chopped

Celery, chopped

Mayo

Mustard

Salt and Pepper

Mix together and serve on bread

I don't know exact amounts - this is a recipe I usually just throw together when I have leftovers from a special occasion or a holiday... like Easter (we usually have a ham and plenty of hard boiled eggs around)

Hamburger and Kidney Beans w/ Rice

2010-02-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

In a frying pan:

Brown Hamburger, then add:

1 can of Kidney Beans (drained)

1 pkg of French Onion Dip

1 cup (ish) of Water

Simmer until onions are tender and beans are warmed through (and water is mostly gone).

Serve over cooked Rice (I like Calrose Rice - it has a really good flavor)

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-02-09T13:42:00.001-08:00

These were my husband's Grandma Burns speciality! He makes them for us. YUM!

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 cups old fashioned oatmeal (not instant)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

1 pkg (12 oz) Nestles chocolate chips (or Hershey's Dark Chocolate Chips)

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Add oatmeal, nuts, and chocolate chips (do not over mix when adding the chocolate chips - fold them in gently with a spoon).

Place on cookie sheet in balls about the size of a big walnut.

Bake at 350 degrees for 11-14 minutes (take them out just as they turn golden - if they turn brown in the oven they are over-cooked and will be hard and crunchy).

Fire Engine Birthday Cake

2010-02-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

I got this recipe/idea from:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/Baking/Birthdays/

It's a fun site and makes a fun cake easy to do!

Beef Enchiladas

2010-02-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

I make this according to the recipe on the back of a McCormick Enchilada seasoning pack:

1 pkg McCormick Seasoning mix

1 1/2 cups water

1 can (8oz) tomato sauce

1 lb ground beef

8 flour tortillas (or corn)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a sauce pan: stir water, tomato sauce, and seasoning pack. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

In a frying pan: brown meat. Drain fat. Stir in 1/2 a cup of sauce.

Heat tortillas according to package directions. Dip into sauce to coat. Spoon about 1/4 cup of meat filling into each tortilla. Roll tightly.

Place tortillas seam-side down in a greased 9x13 pyrex dish. Top with remaining sauce and cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

French Onion Dip (with chips)

2010-02-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

Combine:

1 pkg of French Onion Dip

12-16 oz of Sour Cream (depending on how strong you like it)

Mix together

Top with a pinch of dried parsley for presentation

And eat with potato chips!

Pulled Pork or Beef

2010-02-09T13:16:00.000-08:00

For those of you who want a tasty, but NOT BBQ, pulled pork or beef:

3 lb pork roast (or beef)

1/2 cup of chopped onions

2 cloves of minced garlic

1 Tbl salt

1 1/2 Tbl chili powder

1 Tbl cummin

1 Tbl oregano

4 oz can diced chilis

Combine in Crock Pot, Cook for about 10 - 12 hours, pull the meat apart and serve.

Thanks for the recipe Linda - it was a BIG hit at the activity!

Picture: is beef and I added 2 cans of chili beans (I made this for my 3 year olds birthday - she wanted beans and chips for her special dinner (: so I had to improvise a little)

we topped it with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and avocado and ate it with Frito Scoops.

Broccoli Salad

2010-02-09T13:08:00.001-08:00

Combine:

2 lb bag of Broccoli Slaw (it is made up of grated broccoli stems, carrots, and red cabbage. You can find it by the coleslaw in the produce section of your grocery store)

1 cup of sliced almonds

1 cup of sunflower seeds (I like salted)

1/3 cup of chopped green onions

2 pkgs of Ramon Noodles Raw (chicken flavor)

Crush noodles to bit size pieces

Dressing:

1/3 cup of white vinegar

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of canola oil

2 pkgs of Ramon Spice (chicken Flavor)

Stir and Serve immediately

Thanks Carolyn, we love this one!

Green Salad

2010-02-09T13:01:00.001-08:00

Depending on my mood, my salads will include:

lettuce, diced tomato, diced green peppers, diced red peppers, sliced boiled eggs, frozen peas (defrosted in warm water), diced avocado, quartered baby carrots (lengthwise), chopped green onions, ranch dressing, parmesan cheese (or 3 cheese blend), croutons... I love salads (:

Chili

2009-12-09T15:21:00.000-08:00

1 lb of ground beef:

Brown in a deep frying pan, drain fat.

Add:

1 pkg of chili seasoning mix

1 -8oz can of tomato sauce

1 - 14 oz can of petite diced tomatoes (undrained)

1 - 15 oz can of chili beans (undrained)

1 - 15 oz can of red beans (drained)

1 - 15 oz can of white beans (drained)

1 - small onion (diced) - if you don't want to know the onion is there, sautee it first

Simmer for about 20 minutes

Top with:

Grated Cheddar Cheese

Sour Cream

Serve with:

Corn Bread (traditional)

Corn Chip Scoops (fun)

Roasted Chicken (A whole fryer)

2009-12-03T10:29:00.001-08:00

Clean Chicken

Season inside and out (can be as simple as salt and pepper)

Stuff with stuffing

Place in an oven safe bag (in a 9x13 pyrex)

Butter Skin

Seal and bake...

For birds over 3lbs - Blast Bake - Cook at 450 degrees for the first 15-20 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees and cook about 15 minutes per pound or until total temperature is 170-180 degrees.

Serve between 15-30 minutes of removal from oven (this allows juices to redistribute without over drying)

Turkey (Chicken) Sandwiches

2009-12-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

This is a favorite after the holidays...

Bread

Mayo

Cranberry Sauce

Gravy

Stuffing

Turkey/Chicken shredded

Salt and Pepper

Winter Fruit Salad

2009-12-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

Pudding Mix:

1 small package of vanilla pudding (not instant)

1/4 cup of flour

1 large egg

1 tsp of lemon juice

2 cups of juice (from the cans of fruit you will use in the salad)*

*Hint: Open the cans of fruit and dump all the juices into one pitcher, stir it up, then put 2 cups of the mixed juice into the pudding mix.

Blend with a whisk and microwave 3 minutes, stirring every minute. It needs to boil for 1 minute. Then chill in fridge for 1 hour. It should look like pudding...

Fold in 1 - 8oz tub of Cool Whip

Add fruit

Fruit I used (cut fruit into bite size pieces):

1 banana

1 - 29 oz can of Pears

1 - 29 oz can of Peaches

1 - 20 oz can of pineapple

1 - cereal bowl of frozen blueberries - defrosted

1 - cereal bowl of frozen strawberries - defrosted

1 - cereal bowl of frozen raspberries - defrosted

(To defrost, I just let the bowl sit on the counter until they were room temperature)

Plus - any other fruit you want to add...

Thanks for the recipe Pauline... it's a new holiday favorite around here!

Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

2009-12-01T15:27:00.001-08:00

Cream together:

1 -8oz package of cream cheese (at room temperature)

1/4 cup mayonnaise (do not use miracle whip)

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/4 cup romano cheese (you can substitute parmesan)

1 clove of garlic, finely minced

1/2 tsp of Basil

1/4 tsp of Garlic Salt

Salt and Pepper to taste

Add in:

1 can of Artichoke Hearts, drained, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup of Spinach (chopped and steamed, or frozen defrosted)

1/4 cup of Mozzarella, grated

Mix until blended. Can store in a container until you are ready to cook.

Spray pie pan (or flat dish) with non-stick cooking spray. Pour dip in. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbling. Serve with toasted French Bread.

Cranberry Sauce

2009-11-25T21:48:00.001-08:00

A thousand times better than canned!!!

I just buy a bag of fresh cranberries and follow the directions of the bag, which are:
1 cup of water

1 cup of sugar

1 package of cranberries

Heat water and sugar until boiling

Add cranberries, bring to a boil again

Simmer until they pop

Set aside until they reach room temperature

Refrigerate until serve

Potato Flake Chicken

2009-11-25T10:16:00.001-08:00

Plate 1 - combine:

2/3 cup of Parmesan Cheese

1 tsp of Salt

1 tsp of Pepper

1 tsp of Sage

Plate 2 - combine:

2 lrg eggs

1 tbl of water

Plate 3:

1 1/3 cup of Potato Flakes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease baking sheet and place in oven for 5 minutes while you...

Dip raw, defrosted chicken breast in plate 1 - pressing mixture into chicken, then dip into plate 2 - making sure chicken is coated, then place chicken on plate 3 - pressing potatoes into chicken. Place on baking sheet.

Drizzle 2 tbl of Olive Oil over the tops...
Bake for 15 minutes, then flip chicken over and bake about 25-30 minutes or until coating is crusty and golden brown and chicken is cooked through.

Thanks for the recipe Leslie!

Toscana Soup

2009-11-25T10:13:00.000-08:00

In a large pot, place:

1 lrg onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

3-4 russett baking potatoes, cut in half length-wise, and then cut into 1/4 inch slices

2 cans of chicken broth

1 quart of water

Cook on medium heat until potatoes are tender.

In a frying pan, cook:

1 lb of italian sausage (Jimmy Dean)

When potatoes are tender, add sausage and simmer for 10 minutes.

Turn heat down to low. Add:

1 cup of heavy whipping cream

Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat through and serve.

Meatball Sandwich

2009-11-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

Meatballs:

Mix together-

1 lb of ground hamburger

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup of milk

1 egg

1 tbl of worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp of Sage

1/2 tsp of Oregano

3/4 tsp of Salt

3/4 tsp of Pepper

1 tsp of Onion Powder

Roll 12 balls. Spray cooking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Place Balls evenly on cookie sheet.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees. Cook about 20 minutes on one side, turn them over, cook about 20 minutes on the other side.

Serve on warm bread with mozzarella slices. Place meatballs on the cheese. Pour some warmed up spaghetti sauce over the top of each meatball. Top with parmesan cheese and parsley (for color presentation).

Peppers and Black Beans Salad

2009-11-24T13:10:00.000-08:00

Chopped Lettuce

Diced Tomatoes

Quartered Baby Carrotts (Lengthwise)

Diced Avocado

Diced Green Peppers

Diced Red Peppers

Mild Pepper Rings (I use a jar of Mezzeta's deli-sliced)

Black Beans (I use canned)

Top with Krafts' Green Goddess salad dressing

Hot Dog Rolls

2009-11-19T12:05:00.000-08:00

1 container of Buttermilk Biscuits (I use Pillsbury)

8 Hot Dogs

Smash biscuits flat (I use a cereal bowl)

Wrap 1 flattened biscuit around 1 hot dog

Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until dough directly touching the hot dog is cooked.

Add your favorite toppings: Chili, grated cheddar cheese, diced onions, mustard, and/or ketchup

7 Layer Salad

2009-11-18T13:06:00.000-08:00

Layer (in this order)

Lettuce (chopped)

Peas (defrost is warm water, but don't cook)

Ham (cut and fried) or Bacon (crumbled)

Eggs (hard boiled and sliced)

Swiss Cheese (grated)

Mayo (enough to spread over the top)

Sugar (sprinkle about 1 Tbl over the top)

Mix and Eat!

(You can make this salad early and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to serve it. The dressing isn't mixed in, so it doesn't get soggy!)

Honey Mustard Chicken

2009-11-16T20:20:00.000-08:00

In an oven-safe pyrex, place frozen chicken breast

On each piece, spread regular mustard over the top

Do the same with honey

Sprinkle salt and Curry over the top

Bake at 350 for about 1 hour, then flip each piece of chicken over. Cook for another 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Serve with Stove top stuffing and peas (pictured).

Honey Butter

2009-11-16T20:19:00.000-08:00

In a dish, mix equal amounts of honey and butter. Mix until smooth.

Serve with rolls (pictured is Rhodes frozen white dinner rolls - my bread dough recipe is great for rolls too!)

Chicken Eggrolls

2009-11-09T15:42:00.001-08:00

In a frying pan, saute (in olive oil or butter):

1/2 cup of chopped carrotts

1/2 cup of sliced celery (hearts)

1/2 cup of chopped onions

2 cups of chopped cabbage

1 chicken breast (cooked, cut, shredded, chopped - get it small)

1 tsp of Ginger

Hint: Saute the ingredients in the order listed. Every couple minutes add the next ingredient, that way they are all tender, but not soggy or overdone.

Wrap (Buy Eggroll shells at the grocery store):

Put about 2 spoonfuls in each eggroll shell

Fold up according to directions on package

Fry in Canola Oil on medium heat

Hint: Frying them on medium cooks them through, when I fry them on high, they still taste doughy or like flour. Also, fry 4 sides, not 2.

Makes about 10.

Serve with your favorite sauce: soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, etc.

Cherry Dump Cake

2009-11-06T13:18:00.000-08:00

In a 9x13 pyrex dish, layer:

1 can of cherry pie filling

1 French Vanilla Cake Mix mixture*

1 cube (1/2 cup) melted butter

*mix cake mix with 1/2 cup of milk. It will be clumpy. Blob on top of the pie filling by the spoonful. Then pour butter evenly over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes (until desired color on top).

Peanut Butter and Yogurt Dip

2009-11-05T13:16:00.000-08:00

This is a favorite snack around here...

1 spoonful of peanut butter

1 spoonful of yogurt

Stir until smooth

Sometimes we do twice as much yogurt as peanut butter - it all depends on my mood; there is no right or wrong amount.

Serve with: strawberries, apples, bananas, celery, etc.

Picture 1: strawberry yogurt

Picture 2: peach yogurt

We have to watch my 2 year old around this one... as soon as we turn our backs she will have her whole hand in there and be liking it off her fingers.

BBQ Chicken with Pineapple Salsa

2009-11-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

Saute Chicken in a frying pan with a little butter. When the chicken is cooked through, spread your favorite BBQ sauce (we use KC Masterpiece) over the top, flip and spread it over the bottom. Continue to saute for a few more minutes. Reapply BBQ sauce to the top and serve with pineapple salsa*.

*Pineapple Salsa

1 cup of dice pineapple (unsweetened)

1/4 cup pineapple juice (unsweetened)

1/3 cup finely chopped red and/or green bell peppers

1 green onion sliced

a couple shakes of crushed red pepper

Stir and serve!

Add your favorite sides! Pictured above:

A baked potato with sour cream and cheddar cheese

Steamed peas

Mexican Tortilla Soup

2009-10-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

Restaurant quality recipe...ummm

Ingredients:

3-4 chicken breasts

2 cans diced tomatoes, petite and undrained

1 can of diced chilies

1 yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chicken broth

1 tsp. cumin

1 pinch salt and pepper

Put in the crock pot on high for 4 hours

Toppings:

4 corn tortillas, sliced into 1/4" strips (slowly fry in canola oil until crispy)

2 tbls fresh cilantro, chopped

1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded (substitute Mozzarella if preferred)

1 avocado, diced

1 lime cut into wedges

Add desired amount of toppings to each individual bowl.

Thanks for the recipe Leslie! We love it!

Fried Chicken Nuggets (Tacos)

2009-04-25T23:31:00.001-07:00

Fried Chicken Nuggets:
Cut 3 Frozen Chicken Breast into strips
On a plate, pile flour and pepper
Coat frozen chicken with flour mixture
Place in a frying pan with butter and fry them up (on low heat so they cook through)
Voila! Fried Chicken Nuggets.

Chicken de van

2009-04-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

Don't know where the name came from, we've called it that since I was little!

In a frying pan with butter, fry up 3 chicken breasts, and dice them (they don't have to be cooked through, just golden on the outside)

In a 9x13 Pyrex, layer:
Steamed Broccolli (about 2 crowns)
Chicken Breast (fried and diced)
Sauce*
Bread Crumbs (we like Mrs. Cubbison's Corn Bread Stuffing- dry)

*Sauce:
2 cans of Cream of Chicken (1 family size, 1 regular size)
about 8 oz of sour cream
1 spoonful of Mayo (optional, makes it more rich)
1 1/2 cups of shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Tbls of Lemon Juice
Serve over Rice

BBQ Chicken (shredded-on toast)

2009-03-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

In a pot, combine:

3 Boiled, shredded chicken breast
1/3 bottle of BBQ sauce (we like KC Masterpiece Original)
Some water (to spread the sauce and sautee in pot)
Sautee for 20 minutes (may need to add more water as it cooks)

Serve on toasted multi-grain bread, with Rice-a-Roni, and green beans.

Chicken Tacos (Salsa)

2009-03-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

In a pot, combine:
2 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
1 can of Ro*Tel's Diced tomatoes with lime juice and cilantro (also has onions and green chilis in it)
(I usually use fresh salsa for this one, but I tried it this way and I really like the flavor!)
Boil for a few minutes to warm through

Crisp up a tortilla (I like corn tortillas with this one, but flour are yummy too)
Top with grated cheddar cheese
Roll up and enjoy!

Pizza

2009-03-23T22:42:00.001-07:00

I use my bread dough recipie (see previous posts)
Roll out 1/2 the dough

On Pizza Cooking Sheet:
Spray with pam and then
Sprinkle with Cream of Wheat

Place dough over cooking sheet
Roll up the edges to make a crust
Spread spaghetti sauce
Top with mozzarella cheese
Add your favorite toppings

Crust:
Baste with olive oil
Sprinkle with garlic salt

Chicken Tacos

2009-03-10T15:25:00.001-07:00

Cut chicken into strips.

Fry in frying pan with salt, pepper, and some mild Taco Seasoning.

We like to add slices of onion, green onion, green peppers, etc. (depending on what we have in the fridge).

Place about 1 Tbl of oil in a frying pan and crisp up a flour tortilla.

Layer: Chicken, Shredded Cheese, Diced Tomatoes, Chopped Lettuce, Sour Cream, etc.

Italian Chicken

2009-03-05T14:10:00.001-08:00

Put frozen Chicken Breast in a pyrex.

Pour your favorite Italian dressing over the top.

Bake at 350 for about 1 1/2 hours...

until your chicken is cooked through.

Note: It's o.k. to pour the dressing liberally, you can use it like a gravy for your sides (I usually use about 1/2 the bottle of dressing). Also, if you don't want the tops a little crispy, just turn the chicken over 1/2 way through the cooking time.

Favorite sides: A baked potato, green beans, and Jiffy's corn bread muffins.

Sub Sandwich

2009-03-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

A loaf of French Bread (cut lengthwise)

Mayo, BBQ sauce, and mustard

Swiss Cheese and Cheddar Cheese

Brown Sugar Ham and Chicken slices

Tomatoes (sliced)

Avocado (sliced)

Lettuce (shredded)

Green Pepper (sliced)

Shake Salt and Pepper over the top

Close it up, slice, and eat

Sides: Your favorite chips, olives, pickle spears, and peppercinis

Ham and Swiss Chicken

2009-02-27T14:35:00.001-08:00

Place frozen chicken in a frying pan with butter and fry on medium heat.

Sprinkle top and bottom with onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Butterfly Chicken, once cooked through.

Insert Ham and Swiss fold (as shown below)

(I use Brown Sugar ham - so much more flavor)

Angle a toothpick through the chicken to hold in place.

Put back in frying pan and cover with a lid.

Cook on low until cheese is melted.

Don't forget to take the toothpick out before you serve it (:

The Best All-Purpose Bread Dough

2009-02-25T23:22:00.000-08:00

1 Tbl yeast in 1/2 cup of water (110 degrees)

Mix, cover (with a clean hand towel), and set aside

2 eggs (beaten)

Set aside

In a large mixing bowl...

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup honey

1 Tbl salt

Set aside

In a pot...

2 cups of Milk

bring to a boil, stirring constantly

As soon as it starts to rise, pour into oil, honey, and salt.

(Note: Once it starts to boil, it will rise quickly and overflow, have the bowl handy)

(Note 2: It has to boil, not just get hot)

Stir until salt is dissolved

Pour in beaten Eggs

Mix

Pour in Yeast

Mix

Add flour by the cup full until you get a drippy consistency that you can pour onto the counter and begin kneading. The more you knead, and the less flour you use, the better.

Wipe mixing bowl down with oil

Put dough back in the bowl

Let rise in a warm oven or in a sink with warm water for 2 hours

Using your hands, pinch dough in half.

Roll out half at a time. Roll until about 1/2 inch thick. Be careful to leave the air bubbles in the dough.

For Rolls:

Use a drinking glass and press circles into the dough.

Slightly squish an indentation through the center of each circle with your baby finger.

Rub a drop of oil along the indentation.

Fold in half

Place on a baking sheet.

Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until desired color.

Alternative:

Cheese Stuffed Rolls

Cut cheese into sticks. Place one stick in the indentation you made.

Fold the dough over the cheese stick.

Squish/seal the edges tight so the cheese doesn't ooze out while baking.

Baste with melted garlic butter when they come out of the oven.

I use this recipe for everything: Bread, Rolls, Bread Sticks, Stromboli, Pizza Crust, Cinnamon Rolls... it is a GREAT, versatile dough recipe.

Cinnamon Rolls

2009-02-25T23:06:00.000-08:00

The fun thing about making stramboli is that it only takes 1/2 of my bread dough. With the other 1/2, I make dessert.

Roll out bread dough

smear with butter

Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the whole thing

Roll up

Use dental floss to cut into rolls

Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes, or until desired color.

Toppings:

A spoon full of butter

Powdered sugar

Tbl of vanilla

Powdered Sugar

melted cream cheese

a dab of milk

Tbl of vanilla

Stromboli

2009-02-25T22:50:00.000-08:00

Bread dough

Sour Cream

4 oz Cream Cheese

3 Chicken Breast (cooked and cubed)

Ham or Bacon (cooked and crumbled)

2 crowns Broccoli (steamed)

Spaghetti Sauce

Ranch Dressing

Roll out bread dough and cut edges into strips with a knife.

Smear with Sour Cream.

Layer:

pinches of cream cheese

chicken

ham

broccoli

(I added mozzarella - because it was in my fridge)

Sprinkle with:

Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder

Fold up the top and bottom

Then, Criss-cross over the top with the sliced edges. Place on Baking Sheet.

(I made this one too wide... I had a hard time transferring it to the baking sheet - a little thinner is better)

Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes, or until desired color.

Baste top with melted butter mixed with garlic powder.

Serve with spaghetti sauce and ranch dressing.

Chicken Parmesan

2009-02-24T12:51:00.000-08:00

Chicken Breast

Italian Seasoning Bread Crumbs

Parmesan Cheese

Mozzarella (optional)

I boil frozen chicken breasts, then put them in a frying pan with butter. I shake bread crumbs and parmesan cheese over the top until they are coated, then flip them and do the same to the other side. Fry them until they're crispy.

Optional: Put them in a pyrex, top with mozzarella cheese, and broil until cheese is melted to desired crispiness.

Sides: I usually make a box of Pasta Roni, a veggie, and "Sizzler Toast*"

*Sizzler Toast: A piece of white bread, buttered. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, a dash of garlic powder, and a dash of onion powder. Fry top down in a frying pan until desired color. (pictured toast I tried in the oven on broil - it's just not the same).