Lasagna Soup

This is a simple soup to make for the cold winter days.  It's quite yummy too!

1 pound ground beef

5 cups water

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 cup diced onion

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon basil

salt and pepper to taste

3/4 cup mozzerella cheese
1/2 pkg spiral noodles cooked.

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, cook and stir the ground beef until evenly brown; drain.

Mix the water, tomatoes, onion, and garlic into the pot with the beef. Season with basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes.

Stir in some noodles to individual soup bowls and top with cheddar cheese.

**I find that if you put the noodles in with the entire soup and you have left overs...the noodles get too soggy.** 

Chocolate Ribbon Pie

This is an easy pie to make and impress your family and friends.  I like to add some chocolate shavings on top to make this pie look pretty. 

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon milk 1
(8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (3.9 ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups milk
1 (9 inch) prepared chocolate cookie crumb crust


Directions

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon milk. Beat until smooth. Gently fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping. Spread on the bottom of crust.

In a large bowl, combine chocolate pudding mix with 2 cups milk. Beat with wire whisk for 2 minutes (mixture will be thick.) Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Just before serving, spread remaining whipped topping over pudding layer.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

I found this online and really like the taste of this soup.  It reminds me a little of taco soup, but it a little different.  Nice dinner to have on a chilly day.

Ingredients

1 pound shredded, cooked chicken

1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed

1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce

1 medium onion, chopped

1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup water

1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

1 can black beans

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 bay leaf

1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn or 1 can of corn

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Directions

Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.

Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream and my family like to sprinkle on some cheese as well.  Enjoy!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This is a recipe from my mom and there really is no specific recipe for it. I love using homemade noodles instead of the packaged ones, but hey sometimes time is short and you have to use a quick route to get things done.

1 1/2 lbs of cooked and shredded chicken
3-4 carrots sliced
2-3 celery sliced
1 small onion chopped
1 can of chicken noodle soup OR 1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cans water
1 can of chicken broth
Noodles

In a large sauce pan pour in chicken broth, water, chopped onions, celery and carrots and simmer until vegetables are tender.  Add shredded chicken and a can of soup and heat through.  Then add the noodles (and I usually eyeball it as to how much I want in the soup).  Cook on medium heat until noodles are done.  You may need to add more water if needed and stir frequently since the noodles tend to stick to the bottom of the pan without stirring.

Homemade noodle recipe from my mom: Be sure to MAKE AHEAD eariler in the morning
2 eggs
1/2 t salt
2 T milk
Whip these three ingredients with a fork.
Then add 1 cup of flour (you may need to add more to make it like a bread dough)
Stir with a fork and massage and move around.
Roll out flat with a rolling pin on a baking mat.
Let noodles sit out on baking mat and dry up all day.
Then cut noodles with a pizza cutter into strips.
Put into soup and boil with lid off for 15-20 min until noodles are tender.
**Please note that the noodles can stick together and so add them in a little at a time to prevent sticking to each other.**

Candy Corn Cupcakes

This is a fun recipe for the kids to make for Halloween.  It's fun to mix the food coloring in the batter and these cupcakes turn out cute plus they are yummy too!

1 box plain white cake mix

1 C regular sour cream

1/3 C vegetable oil

1/2 C milk

2 eggs

food coloring (yellow and orange)

frosting

candy corn

Combine cake mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, milk and eggs in a large bowl.  Mix according to the directions on the box.  Divide batter evenly into 2 seperate bowls.  Color half of the batter with a few drops of orange food coloring (1 drop of red to 2-3 drops of yellow).  Color the other half with a few drops of yellow food coloring.  Place cupcake lines into cupcakes tins.  Fill each cupcake liner with 1/4 cup of the yellow batter then top with the orange batter so the cupcake liner is 1/2 full.  Bake according to the package directions.  Cool cupcakes completly.  Frost with white frosting and place some candy corns on top.  Refrigerate or freeze leftovers.  Serves 24.

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

These Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins are a taste of the fall season.  They are easy to make and are quite yummy!  I found this recipe online and it's a keeper!

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups white sugar

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups peeled, cored and chopped apple

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 teaspoons butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 18 muffin cups or use paper liners.

In a large bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, pumpkin and oil. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stirring just to moisten. Fold in apples. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle topping evenly over muffin batter.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.



Apple Pie

So I decided to try another version of an apple pie and this one was delicious with vanilla ice-cream on top!

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 T vanilla
1/8 cup water
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced (I use golden delicious apples)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add vanilla, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer until ready to pour over the apples.

Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly.
Brush egg whites on bottom on crust to prevent it from getting soggy.

Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid evenly over the apples.
Cover with a lattice work of crust.
Bake 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). for 40 to 50 minutes, until apples are soft.
 
Put baking tray on bottom on pie to prevent apple pie spilling over

Check apple pie after 30 min. and cover top loosely with aluminum foil when crust starts turning brown to prevent crust from getting too dark.

Chicken and Noodle with Stuffing

This has been a recipe that I have been making for awhile.  It' s simple and quite delicious!

4 chicken breasts cooked in crock pot

Shred chicken

Put on bottom of baking dish

Layer 3 cups egg noodles (cooked)

Mix: 1 cup sour cream and 1 can of cream of chicken soup, and pour over noodles

1 box stove top dressing and sprinkle on top

Mix: 1 can chicken broth and 1 cube of butter

Pour over stuffing and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Self Crusting Apple Pie

In order to enjoy fall time, one must enjoy a fresh baked apple pie.  This recipe I got from my mom and it is so simple and delicious!  Give it a try and be sure add some vanilla ice-cream on the side to make the pie complete.

One 9" pie plate, buttered
5 apples, peeled and thinly sliced (more or less)
1/2 C sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 C sugar
6 Tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 C flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 C chopped nuts (optional)

Mix together 1/2 C sugar and 1/2 t. cinnamon. 
Fill the pie plate even to the brim with apple slices.  Sprinkle sugar cinnamon mixture over top.  Combine remaining ingredients and spread over apple slices.  Bake 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until lightly browned and the pie comes out clean with a cake tester.

Basic Flaky Pie Crust

I was making pumpkin pie and really wanted to go the easy way out and buy a pie crust at the store, but my heart knew that homemade pie crusts can't be beat.  So I went online, yet again, and found a recipe that I wanted to try.  The crust turned out great and the pumpkin pie was the hit at our family gathering.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening, chilled
3 tablespoons ice water

Directions

1. Whisk the flour and salt together in a medium size bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in the cold shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle 3 tablespoons ice water over flour. Toss mixture with a fork to moisten, adding more water a few drops at a time until the dough comes together.

2. Gently gather dough particles together into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling.

3. Roll out dough between two pieces of wax paper so the dough does not stick to the rolling pin or counter.  You have to have a little patience but once it's rolled out and the pie crust in a pie plate. Fill with desired filling and bake.

Pumpkin Roll

I love trying new recipes and this is one that I found online at allrecipes.com.  It's a great site to turn to when you are looking for something good to cook.  This pumpkin roll turned out so yummy.  I love pumpkin in the fall season and this hits the spot.  

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar


1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 9x13 inch jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray the sides with PAM.

2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin puree, eggs, and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread the mixture evenly.

3. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 minutes.

4. Let the cake cool for 10 min then lay parchment paper on counter, sprinkle it with confectioner's sugar, and turn the cake onto the parchment paper. Carefully roll the parchement paper up (lengthwise) with the cake in it. Place on a cooling rack and let it cool for 20 minutes.

5. Make the icing: In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and sugar with a wooden spoon or electric mixer.

6. When the cake has cooled 20 minutes, unroll it and spread icing onto it. Immediately re-roll (not in the parchement paper this time), and wrap it with plastic wrap. Keep the cake refrigerated or freeze it for up  2 weeks in aluminum foil. Cut the cake in slices just before serving.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Pumpkin bread reminds me of Fall time.  This is a recipe that I found online and made a few "healthy" adjustments.  I like to make muffins out of the dough instead of bread.  Makes it's it easy for lunches at our house.  These muffins are mighty tasty. 

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 C applesauce
2/3 cup apple juice
2 cups white sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3 T flax seed
Chocolate chips


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray PAM on muffin tins or loaf bread pans.

2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, applesauce, apple juice and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger, flax seed. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Mix in chocolate chips.  Pour into the prepared pans.

3. Bake for about 13-16 minutes for muffins or 40-50 minutes in loaf pans in preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

I had some fresh tomatoes from the garden to use up and decided to try my luck at some homemade spaghetti sauce.  The tomato paste really helped to thicken up the sauce and it tasted pretty good. 

SAUCE:

1/4 cup instant minced onions
5 cloves garlic, minced
4 to 4 1/2 C fresh tomatoes blended up a little with tomato skins off
1 1/2  teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
2 bay leafs
1 OR 2 (6 ounce) can tomato paste seasoned with basil, garlic and oregano (I start with one and depending on the thickness I would add another if the sauce is too thin).
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasonings

Directions

I use a crock pot to help me out with this sauce.  Put all the ingredients in a crockpot and simmer for 6 to 7 hours on low.  Stir and serve over noodles or use in making lasagna or manicotti.

Chicken Stuffed Manicotti

This is a great recipe to freeze and have later on when you just don't feel like cooking.  This is a great recipe to use with chicken or I have used Italian seasoned ground turkey as well.  Serve with salad and sourdough bread and it's a delicious meal for all! 

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and minced
3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper
1 (8-ounce) package manicotti
3 - 4 cups spaghetti sauce
shredded mozzarella cheese (and I added in some cheddar cheese as well)

Method:

In a bowl, combine minced chicken, cottage cheese, evaporated milk, salt and pepper. Mix well. Cover bottom of baking dish with sauce. Fill uncooked manicotti shells and arrange over sauce in baking pan. Spread additional spaghetti sauce over top of manicotti.

Cover with extra heavy foil, label and freeze.
Or bake covered at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Uncover, top with cheese and bake 5 minutes longer.

If frozen: To Serve just thaw and bake covered at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake 5 minutes longer.

** I like to just let the cheese melt without putting it in the oven for the additional 5 mins.**

Blonde Brownies

 I remember my mom baking these brownies in the oven and taking them on picnics when I was a child.  I love to use Guittard real milk chocolate chips in these brownies...yummy!!  Oh, and also have a glass of milk nearby because you are going to need it with these sweet brownies!

2/3 C butter, melted
2 1/4 C brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 C flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 C chocolate chips
1 C chopped nuts (optional)

Spread thin in a 9x13 pan.  Bake 20 -30 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Old Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

When it's falll time, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are the thing to make!  This is one of my favorite recipes that I always make in the fall time.  These cookies are so soft and oh so good!

2 1/2 C Flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 C sugar

1/2 C butter

1 C Libbys 100% pure pumpkin

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 pkg chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven 350 degrees.  Grease baking sheets

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl.  Beat sugar and butter in large mixer until well blended.  Beat in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla until smooth.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Mix in chocolate chips.  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake 14-17 mintues or until edges are firm.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove onto wire racks to cool completely.

Taco Soup

Taco Soup is always a good source of fiber and tastes great with all the toppings.  This was a recipe I got in a ward cookbook, I like to add fresh tomatoes, but I have to blend the tomatoes up for the kids sake. 

Brown 1 lb. hamburger or ground turkey with one small chopped onion.  Drain and place in crock-pot and add:
1 (16 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 oz) diced tomatoes
1 (16 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (16 oz) can corn, drained (or you can use frozen corn too)
1 pkg of taco seasoning

Cook 5-6 hours on low.  Can also be cooked on top of the stove- just heat through.
Serve with sour cream, cheese, cilantro, and chips.

**In place of the diced tomatoes, I used fresh tomatoes from our garden and used the blender to blend them up since the kids don't like "chunky things".

Best Brownies

Yes, another brownie recipe.  I must have a sweet tooth!  These browines are pretty dang good and are not too heavy and not too cakey.  These would even be good with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.  Yummy!!!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray with Pam an 8 inch square pan.

In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.

Sweet and Sour Pork

This is a yummy recipe from a friend of mine.  It has a good flavor to it and my husband says this recipe is a "keeper".

3 T. Vegetable oil

2 lbs. fresh boneless pork loin, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 carrots, cut diagonally into thin slices

1 T minced garlic

1 green pepper

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple tidbits in syrup

1/4 C brown sugar

1/2 C vinegar

2 T soy sauce

3 T cornstarch

In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil.  Brown pork, making sure to fully cook.  Add carrots, garlic, and green peppers.  Continue to saute until tender.  Add pineapple with syrup, brown sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.  In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and 1/4 C water together and stir into pork mixture.  Simmer a few minutes to thicken. 

You can serve this with rice or noodles. 

For a freezer meal, Remove pork mixture from heat and let cool.  Transfer to a casserole dish or freezer bag.  Freeze up to 6 months.

To prepare: Heat frozen pork gently over stovetop, stirring occasionally.  OR you could thaw in the fridge over night and put it in the crockpot on low until heated through.  (I added a little bit of beef broth to the pork mixture to add some liquid).

Easy Turkey Tetrazzini

This is a recipe that I got from a friend and it's a great way to use up some left-over turkey.

1 small pkg. thin spaghetti broken in half (about 7 to 8 oz)
2 C cubed, cooked turkey
1 T butter to sauté onions in
1/2 small onion
1 ½ C sour cream or 1 can cream of mushroom soup or a mix of both
1 C milk
1 C shredded cheddar cheese
1 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1 T shredded parmesan cheese

*optional 1 C sliced mushrooms or even carrots.

Step 1: Cook spaghetti as directed on package. Drain and place in greased casserole dish. Top with turket and set aside.

Step 2: In a large skillet, sauté the onions and mushrooms or carrots in the butter until tender. Whisk in the sour cream/soup (or mix), milk until blended. Stir in the cheddar cheese, cook and stir over medium heat until the cheese is melted. Pour over turkey. Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

To cook: If frozen, thaw completely in fridge. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly.

Scotcharoos

This is a recipe from a friend.  She made me some treats and I had to get the recipe.  These Rice Krispies are so yummy and never last long around my home.

1 C Sugar
1 C light corn syrup
Bring to boil, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat then stir in:
1 C peanut butter
Add to:
6 C Rice Krispies
Spread into buttered (I use pam) 9x13 pan.
Melt together:
1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 C peanut butter or butterscotch chips
Spread over top and let it set up.

Key Lime Pie

This is a recipe that I found online and it sure is good and even better the next day when it's been in the fridge overnight. 

4 egg yolks
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
3/4 C lime juice
1/4 C lemon juice
1 tsp grated lime rind

Mix together and put in a unbaked 9 inch graham cracker crust
Bake 375 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.
Cool then chill in fridge.

Top with cool whip and and your mouth will thank you!

Graham Cracker Crust

Homemade pie crusts are the best.  This crust is easy to make and it's much better than the store bought stuff!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup white sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions

Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter or margarine, and cinnamon until well blended . Press mixture into an 8 or 9 inch pie plate.

Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 7 minutes. Cool. If recipe calls for unbaked pie shell, just chill for about 1 hour.

Baked Pasta

Here is a version of my own creation from various recipes.  It tastes like lasagna and it's simple too! 

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package pasta 
• 2 cups small curd cottage cheese
• 1/2 C mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 t garlic powder
• 1 t dried basil
• 1 t dried parsley
• Spaghetti sauce
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook pastas according to package directions.  Drain.

2. Mix together cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, and garlic, basil and parsley and stir into the cheese mixture.

3. Spread thin layer of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Put half of pasta in pan, put half of cheese mixture on top, and repeat.  Spread spaghetti sauce over top to your liking, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

4. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Chicken Puffs

2 pkg refrigerator crescent rolls
2 C crushed Ritz crackers
2 1/2 C cubed or shredded cooked chicken
1/4 C diced onion
1/2 C chopped celery
4 oz (1/2 pkg) cream cheese
1/2 C sour cream
dash garlic powder
dash salt and pepper

Press together 2 crescent roll triangles to form a square.  Repeat with the remaining dough.  Place crushed crackers in a shallow dish.  Stir together remaining ingredients in a large bowl and scoop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto dough squares.

Fold and pinch edges together.  Roll each chicken puff in the cracker crumbs.  Place puffs on a greased cookie sheet and put cookie sheet in freezer for 1 hour.  Then place chicken puffs in a zip lock freezer bag and freeze.

To Serve:
Place frozen chicken puffs on a greased sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until golden brown.

Serves 8-10

Quick Blueberry Muffins

This recipe comes from my friends recipe blog somethingbluekitchen.blogspot.com  I love getting new ideas and making new things.  These blueberry muffins were sure good!

1 egg

1 c milk
3 T vegetable oil
2 c flour
1 c sugar
2 ½ t baking powder
½ t salt
2 c fresh or frozen blueberries

In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg, milk and oil. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, beating just until combined. Fold in blueberries.

Pour the batter into a greased muffin tins and bake 350 degrees for 13-15 mintues.  Or if you would like a loaf of blueberry bread, pour into greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan and bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

5 Cup Salad

This is such a easy and yummy salad to make when you are in a hurry.  I received this recipe from my mom

who is always making something good in her kitchen!

1 C pineapple tidbits

1 C shredded coconut

1 C mandarin oranges

1 C marshmellows

1 C sour cream

Mix all ingredients and chill in fridge. 

Easy as 1-2-3!

Sour Cream Potato Salad

When I was in YW we made a cookbook for a fundraiser.  This recipe was submitted by one of the ward members and it's a great side dish to add to an outdoor picnic in the summer time.

7 medium potatoes, peeled, diced, and cooked (about 6 cups)
1/3 C Good Seasons Italian dressing
1/4 C diced green onion and tops
1/2 C mayonnaise (I use Best Foods)
salt and celery seed to taste
3/4 C diced celery
4 hard boiled eggs
1/2 C sour cream
1/3 C diced, peeled cucumber
some bacon strips cooked and diced up

While potatoes are warm, pour dressing over potatoes and chill for 2 hours.  Add celery, onions, chopped eggs.  Mix in little mayo and sour cream into salad to suit your taste.  Mix cucumber and bacon just before serving.  Serves 8.  I also like to sprinkle some salad seasoning mix on my potato salad...yummy!

Carmel Rolls

This is a recipe that I got from a neightbor and it is yummy!!  These carmel rolls always disappar fast at our house, how about yours?  Give them a try!

Butter a bundt pan.

Put 18 to 20 Rhodes dough in the bundt pan, some in a circle and the others in the cracks. (I even make my own dough and it works out great!)

Sprinkle 1/2 pkg of cook and serve butterscotch pudding powder on top of dough.

Sprinkle on some cinnamon on to suit your taste.

Heat 1/2 C butter and 1/2 C brown sugar on stove until it boils.  Take off heat and pour over dough.

If you are wanting to bake the carmel rolls that day cover and let it rise. 

If you want to bake them the next morning cover with a wet towel and let it sit overnight. (They do rise pretty big so if you are planning to let them sit overnight, make the rolls before going to bed.)

Bake 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until rolls are a light brown.  I put the bundt pan on a cookie sheet to bake to avoid spilling of the carmel sauce and since I hate to clean my oven!

Pull out of oven and flip over onto another larger plate so the carmel can drizzle over the rolls.

Enjoy!

Fourth of July Drink

Fun idea taken from another blog called chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com

I found this recipe last year and the kids look foward to making this special drink every 4th of July.

Ingredients:

Cranberry Juice, Blue Gatorade or Powerade, Diet 7 Up. Fill a clear glass with ice. Pour some cranberry juice into the bottom. Next pour in some blue Gatorade making sure you pour directly onto the ice and not into the cranberry juice. Fill the rest of the glass with Diet 7 Up, again pouring directly onto the ice and not into the Gatorade.

How does this work? The cranberry juice, Gatorade, and Diet 7 Up all have varying amounts of sugar. The more concentrated a drink is (more sugar it has) the more dense it is. Those that are less dense "float" on top. The other trick is to pour right on the ice otherwise you just end up mixing the colors, which I admit can be fun, but you don't end up with a multi-layered masterpiece. Knowing the tricks of the trade you can create rainbow colored drinks of your own catering the colors to match a birthday theme, baby shower, or other holiday get togethers. The colors will eventually blend together so these drinks can't really be made ahead of time. I've found that kids will wait for their drinks because the magic of watching it come together is so much fun.

Easy Blueberry Cobbler

So my husband and I went out to dinner and ordered blueberry cobbler and was sadly disappointed, the cobbler did not meet up to our expectations in taste.  Later that week I ran across a recipe online for blueberry cobbler and gave it a try for Father's day.  The cobbler turned out so good!!

Yield: 12 servings

Time: 5 minutes prep + 45 minutes baking

1 -20 oz. can crushed pineapple
1/2 C brown sugar
1 1/2 t ground cinnamon
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
2/3 C butter, melted

1. Pour in crushed pineapple minus 1/2 C of juice in can into a sprayed 9x13 pan.

2. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over the top of the pineapple.

3. Pour the blueberry pie filling over the top of the seasoned pineapple.

4. Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top of the blueberry pie filling and pour the melted butter over it, spread around to cover dry cake mix.

5. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
 
6. Serve with some vanilla ice-cream and your mouth with thank you!

Sloppy, Sloppy Joes!

This was a recipe that was made in the freezer group I am apart of.  The brown sugar really adds sweetness.  This recipe is MUCH better than just a package mix you would buy from the grocery store. 

1 lb. Hamburger

2 TBS dried minced onion

1 can Hunt’s tomato sauce

½ C brown sugar

3-4 TBS Hunt’s ketchup

½ tsp garlic powder

1 tsp mustard

In large frying pan, brown hamburger with onion, drain. Add remaining ingredients to taste. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Serve on buns.

** You can freeze the meat mixture in a freezer ziplock bag to use at a later time.**

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

I got this recipe from a friend who also does an online cookbook.  I gave this recipe a try and these chicken nuggets are great!  The kids love them = happy parents. 

3 c corn flakes
⅓ c grated Parmesan cheese
½ t salt
¼ t onion powder
¼ t garlic powder
Pinch of pepper
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, partially frozen
¼ - ½ c flour
2 large eggs, beaten

Cut the chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces. Set aside. Preheat oven to 425º. Lightly oil or coat a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Place the corn flakes blender or food processor and crush to a fine texture. Pour into a medium-sized bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper to the crushed corn flakes. Place the eggs in a separate small bowl. Place the flour in a separate small bowl. To bread the chicken, coat in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in the egg, then coat well in the corn flake mixture. Arrange the chicken on the prepared baking sheet and cook until golden brown, about 14-16 minutes and then turn on broiler and broil for 2-3 minutes until the nuggets are crisp.

After they are done cooking, you can enjoy the nuggets or place in the freezer. After completely frozen, seal them up in a FoodSaver bag to enjoy as you need them! To reheat, remove a few from the freezer and reheat in the microwave for a minute or so.

Coffee Cake

When I was little my mom would always make some coffee cake on Saturday mornings.  It's always a favorite in our home.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C Flour                             1/4 C shortening

1/2 C sugar                                1 beaten egg

2 tsp baking powder                   1/2 C buttermilk

1/2 tsp salt                                  1/2 tsp baking soda

Sift dry ingredients, cut in shortening till coarse crumbs.  Blend egg, buttermilk.  Add to above mixture.  Stir until just moistened.  Put half mixture in 8x8 pan.

Combine:

1/2 C brown sugar                     2 tsp cinnamon

2 TBS flour                                2 TBS butter

Mix together and cut butter into the mixture.  Put in middle, then put the rest of the above mixture on top.  Bake 375 degrees for 20 minutes in a greased pan.

**Note: Our family always doubles the recipe and I put the mixture in a 9x13 pan.  It always seems to disappear quickly!

Apple Strudel Muffins

I needed to use some of the apples I had on hand since they were a little "grainy" and came across this recipe online.  I gave it a try and these muffins turned out so, so good!  It's that crumb topping that I love!  I modified the recipe a bit with the wheat flour and adding some cinnamon and more apples.  This is the finalized recipe, I will be making these again soon! 

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups chopped apples
Topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter


Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin pans.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda salt and cinnamon.

In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugars and eggs until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Stir in apples, and gradually blend in the flour mixture. Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pans.

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture is like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over tops of mixture in muffin pan.

Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to sit 5 minutes before removing muffins from pan. Cool on a wire rack.

Tuck's Famous Carrot Cake

I got this recipe from a co-worker.  He brought some of this cake into work and everyone asked for the recipe.  It's a yummy carrot cake and has a delicious cream cheese frosting!

Carrot Cake

4 eggs                                                                    2 C flour 

2 C sugar                                                               1 tsp salt

3 C grated carrots                                                  2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 C oil (I use 1 C applesause, 1/2 C oil)           2 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.   Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Beat eggs until lemon color and gradually add sugar.  Beat well.  Add carrots and applesauce and oil.  Beat well.  Add dry ingredients and blend well.  Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

Cream Cheese frosting

8 oz cream cheese                          3 to 4 C powdered sugar

1/2 C butter                                    1 tsp vanilla

Cream cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Add vanilla  and beat well.  Add powdered sugar and beat well.  Frost the cooled cake.

Hint:  Refrigerate cake overnight for best flavor

Big Daddy Biscuits

We found this recipe online and gave it a try.  Jody is the KING of making biscuits and this recipe ROCKS!  If you want a good biscuit recipe....this is THE ONE!!

2 C flour                        1 T white sugar
1 T baking powder        1/3 C shortening
1 t salt                           1 C milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse meal.  Gradually stir in milk until dough pulls away from the side of the bowl.
Turn out onto a floured surface, and knead 15 to 20 times.  Pat or roll daigh out to 1 inch thick.  Cut buscuits with a large cutter dipped in flour.  Repeat until all daough is used.  Place biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 13 to 15 minutes in preheated oven, or until the edges begin to brown.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love cookies and these are one of my favorites!   I like to make a double batch and roll up some cookie dough to freeze for later.  Fresh cookies are so good anytime!

1/2 C butter (softened)          1 Tbs baking powder
1/2 C shortening                    1 tsp salt
1 C sugar                              1 tsp baking soda
1 C brown sugar                   2 C quick oats
2 eggs                                   1 C coconut (optional)
1 tsp vanilla                         1 C chocolate chips
2 C flour

Combine butter, shortening, sugars mix well.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix.  Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.  Add oatmeal to flour and mix well.  Add chocolate chips and coconut.  Cover cookie sheet with foil and spoon on cookie dough.
Bake 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.  Enjoy these yummy cookies!!

Banana Bread

I found this recipe online and sour cream is the secret to the most moist banana bread.  Chocolate chips or not, this banana bread is a sure delight!

1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup applesauce
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups white flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
4 medium bananas

Preheat oven to 350

Grease loaf pans. (You may grease and sugar pans. They come out with a yummy crust)

In a large bowl combine melted butter, applesauce and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Combine flour, baking soda salt and stir it into the butter mixture until smooth. Fold in sour cream and bananas. Spread into greased and sugared or greased and floured pans. The sugar makes a yummy crust.

Bake at 350 for 60 min for lg loafs and ~30 min for small loaves or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes then pour out and cool completely.

Zuchini Bread

I found this recipe online and it had great reviews, so I gave it a try.  The crumb topping on this Zuchini bread is what sets it apart from the rest.  One bite and you will be hooked!  

3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup applesauce
2 cups white sugar
2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Crumb topping:
Mix together 3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
3 tablespoons butter
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Mixed together well and crumble on top of the battered loaves before baking.

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F ( 165 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, and salt; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans.

Add crumb topping on top of the batter before baking.

Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until done.

Pizza Bagels!

For a quick kid friendly meal....Pizza Bagels are a hit!  They are easy to make and the kids can help put the toppings on as well!

Turn on oven to Broil on high.
While the oven is heating.....

Take a Bagel, split it in half
Put on some cream cheese
Next spoon on some pizza or spagetti sauce
Put on pepporoni and other toppings you like
Sprinkle with cheese

Put bagels on pan with a cooling rack on top.  Put in oven for about 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Quick...Easy...and Yummy!

Frog Eye Salad

This is the number one requested salad by my husband.  It's a favorite in our home and the kids love the colored marshmallows!

3/4 pkg Acini de Pepe macaroni
1/4 C Flour
1 3/4 C pineapple juice
2 T lemon juice
2 lrg cans pineapple tidbits, drained
3/4 C coconut. optional
3/4 C sugar
1/2 t salt
2 eggs, beaten
8 oz cool whip
2 cans mandarin oranges
1 pkg mini marshmallows, optional

Cook macaroni.  Mix and bring to boil the sugar, flour, salt and pineapple juice.  Boil until thick.  Add beaten eggs and lemon juice.  Mix in the macaroni and marinate overnight.  Add the remainder of the ingredients and serve.

Grandmother's Buttermilk Cornbread

This is a recipe that I've found online which had great reviews. I tried it and loved every bite!

¼ pound butter
2/3 C white sugar
2 eggs
1 C buttermilk (I have used regular 1% milk)
½ tsp baking soda
1 C cornmeal
1 C all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 inch pan.

Melt butter in large skillet. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs abd beat until well blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture in pan. Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well blended and few lumps remain. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated over for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Simply Lasagna

I found this recipe online while trying to find freezer meals to make.  I LOVE this recipe because it's easy to make AND you don't have to cook the lasagna noodles. This simple dish is a keeper!

12 lasagna noodles
2 T Parmesan cheese2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 T dried chopped parsley
3 - 4 cups Spaghetti sauce.
Do not cook the lasagna noodles

Combine the cottage cheese, slightly beaten egg, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Grease foil baking pan(s). Cover bottom with thin layer of sauce. Layer noodles (do not cook them, break them to fit), sauce, half the Mozzarella and half the Jack cheeses. Top with another layer of noodles, then the cottage cheese mixture. Top with another layer of noodles, then the rest of the Mozzarella and Jack cheeses and cover with a thick layer of spaghetti sauce. Cover with extra heavy foil. Label and freeze. Makes 1 9x13 or 2 8x8 pans.

To serve: Thaw. Bake covered for 45 to 60 minutes at 375°. Uncover, top with more Mozzarella cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Whole Wheat Quick Mix

I got this recipe from a Enrichment Night at the ward.  I make it with 100 % whole wheat and the kids will eat it!

It's easy to store and you can whip up pancakes any time!

Mix:
10 C whole wheat flour
1 C powdered milk
½ C sugar (optional)
1/3 C baking powder
1 T salt

Mix together and store in airtight container. Keep in refrigerator for 6 weeks or in freezer for 6 months. When introducing my family to wheat pancakes, I used 6 C wheat and 4 C white flour and gradually went to 10 C wheat flour.

Pancake batter:
Mix together:
2 C whole wheat mix
¼ C oil
1 ¾ C water
1 egg

Snickerdoodles

My husband thinks that I make the BEST snickerdooles in the world. Well, I just followed this recipe and, if I do say so myself, they are pretty dang good!

Cream together:
1/2 C shortening

1 ½ C sugar
½ C butter
2 eggs

Add:
2 ¾ or 3 C flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tarter

Mix, then add 1 tsp vanilla and 1/3 tsp lemon extract.
Makes a very soft dough, chill if desired. Make balls
the size of walnuts; roll in a bowl of 2 T sugar and 2 tsp
cinnamon mixed. Bake 400 degrees until light brown
but still soft about 8-10 min.