Friday, May 4, 2012

French toast with Strawberry Sauce or Hawaiian Syrup

I made this meal for the kids last night, all recipes thanks to pinterest, and the kids said it was "AWESOME". Will definately make again! Used french bread from Sam's club and went through 2 entire loaves. French Toast 4 eggs 1 cup milk (I used 1/2 buttermilk because I had it) 1/4 tsp. salt 2 tsp. vanilla 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp flour French bread, sliced thick In bowl, combine all ingredient except bread. Blend with whisk until lump free. You can blend this as well. Quickly dip both sides of bread in mixture and place on hot skillet. Flip over when browned and serve with hot Strawberry sauce or Hawaiian Syrup. Can top with cool whip, fresh fruit or coconut. Coconut Syrup or Hawaiian Syrup as I called it so as not to scare the kiddos! 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup buttermilk 1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. coconut extract Place butter, buttermilk and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and boil one minute. Remove from heat and add baking soda and extract stirring constantly. It will bubble up so make sure you have room in your pot. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve over almost any breakfast food: waffles, pancakes, french toast, crepes. Strawberry Sauce 1 pint strawberries 1/3 cup white sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract or almond extract Wash strawberries and remove stems. Roughly chop the berries. Combine the sugar, berries and extract in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring/breaking strawberries up with a wooden spoon. After 5 minutes, remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. When cool enough, transfer mixture to blender and pulse until desired consistency. This strawberry sauce can be used over french toast, banana splits, cheesecake, ice cream, sugar cookies, crepes, pancakes or anything else you can think of!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Pumpkin Pie Dip

I tasted this dip at World Market and was hooked. It is a great dip for fall!

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp orange juice
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. cloves

Whip ingredients together until fully combined and smooth. Serve with gingersnaps or graham crackers.

Pepperoni Breadstick Twists

1 package sliced pepperoni
2 packages (tubes) pillsbury all ready breadstick twists
garlic salt
parmesan cheese
spagetti sauce

Unroll breadsticks. Place 3 slices of pepperoni on 1/2 of each breadstick. Twist and press down ends on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Bake 375 degrees for 10-12 min. Serve with heated sauce.

Cream Pie- Coconut or Banana

I am a fan of my mom's cream pies. I double this recipe for the filling of one pie.

1 1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbsp flour or cornstarch
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
coconut
coconut oil
or bananas

Scald 1 cup milk. Slowly add while scaldens, sugar, salt, flour and mix. Stir constantly til thickened. Beat egg yolk and combine 2 tbsp. mixture to the yolk. Slowly add back mixture and cook 2 more minutes. Take off heat and add butter, vanilla and coconut as well as oil or bananas. Cool and add to pie crust.

Mexican Haystacks

This is another cabin favorite- just a different version of Hawaiin haystacks.

1 pound ground beef
1 pound bacon (crisp)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup green pepper ( chopped)
1 cup onion ( chopped)
1 cup ketchup
2 tsp. worcheshire sauce
3 large cans pork and beans (kidney and pinto beans are good as well)

Combine and cook in a slow cooker for 2-3 hours.

Serve over green salad and tortilla chips or fritos. Top with green onions, peppers, olives, grated cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, ranch dressing and salsa.

Creamy Jalapeño Dressing

This is a favorite dressing and a remake of the dressing from Costa Vida.

1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup milk
1 small bunch cilantro
2 large jalapeños (seeds almost removed for mild)
1/2 yellow onion
2 small cloves garlic, chopped
1 tomatillo, quartered
1/2 tsp salt
1 ranch dip powder mix packet

Blend all ingredients together in a blender. Makes 3 cups.

Chicken Pot Pie

I usually use the store bought pie crust but will include a recipe for making homemade crust.

6 split chicken breast
3 tbsp olive oil
5 cups chicken stock, I used homemade stock bought at store
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 cup butter
2 cups onion
2 ribs celery, chopped
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups carrots
1 package frozen peas

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the chicken beasts on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes.
In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot, melt the butter and sauté the onions and celery for 10-15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute. Add 2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, carrots and peas.

Pie crust
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/4 pound cold butter
1/2 to 2/3 cup ice water
1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water, for egg wash

Mix the flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Dump the dough and knead into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

S'mores Cookie Bars

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
16 tbsp. (2 sticks) butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups marshmallow topping
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. LIne 9x13 pan with foil and mist foil with cooking spray. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; mix well. In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs until well combined. Slowly beat flour mixture into butter mixture. Divide dough in half. Press half of dough into pan until dough is flat. Spread marshmallow topping and sprinkle chocolate chips on top Scatter remaining dough over in clumps. Bake until golden brown 30-35 minutes.

Ingredients: flour, graham crackers, baking powder, salt, butter, brown sugar, eggs, marshmallow topping, chocolate chips

Potato Cheese Soup

8 potatoes
4 cups water
4 cups milk
4 bouillon cubes
2 tbsp dried parsley

Cook together in the crockpot. One hour before serving add:

1/2 cup flour mixed with evaporated milk and
1tsp salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
12 oz. velvet Cheese

Cherry Butter Cookies

I made these cookies for the first time this Christmas and they became an immediate favorite of mine.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 margarine
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 cups flour
1 can cherry pie filling

Beat butter and margarine together until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, powdered sugar and flour. Mix until combined. Roll dough into tbsp size balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Make a small indention in the center of each cookie with your thumb. Spoon a cherry into the center. Bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes (10 min was perfect in my oven). Makes 2 1/2 dozen. Doubled to use all the pie filling.

Ingredient: butter, margarine, vanilla, powdered sugar, flour, cherry pie filling

Coconut Kiss Cookies

This is another version of the original Hershey kiss cookie that I cook at Christmas time. I love them because I love coconut.

48 kisses
1/3 cup soft butter
3 oz. cream cheese softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
2 tsp. almond extract
2 tsp. orange juice
1 1/4 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
5 cups sweetened coconut flakes

Beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Add egg yolk, almond extract, and orange juice- beat well. Stir flour, baking powder, salt and add to mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in 3 cups coconut. Cover and refridgerate 1 hour. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Shape in 1 inch balls and roll in coconut. Cook for 11 min. Place kiss on cookie after pulling from the oven.

Ingredients: butter, hershey kisses, cream cheese, sugar, egg, almond extract, orange juice, flour, baking powder, salt, coconut

Chocolate Delight

This was always one of my favorite recipes from my mom and very quick to throw together!

1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 sticks butter
3/4 cup walnuts chopped

Combine all ingredients together and press into a 13x9 pan. Bake for 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Filling:

8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cool whip

Mix together and spread on top of cooled crust.

Pudding:

2 pkgs instant chocolate pudding
3 cups cold milk

Mix with mixer and spread on top of filling. Top with remaining cool whip and refrigerate.

Cherry Mash Bars

This has become a favorite of my brother-in-law at Christmas time.

1 cup sugar
2 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup half and half or 1/3 cup undiluted evaporate milk
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup cherry chips
1 cup chocolate chips or 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup salted peanuts

Combine sugar, butter, salt and half and half in a saucepan. Boil on high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in marshmallows and cherry chips.
Spread in 8 or 9 in. pan which has been lined with parchment or wax paper.
Melt chocolate with peanut butter in a small pan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Stir in peanuts. Spread evenly over cherry layer. Let set in refrigerator. Cut into 1 in squares with warm sharp knife (hold under hot water and then dry before cutting).

Ingredients: sugar, butter, salt, half and half, marshmallows, cherry chips, chocolate chips, peanut butter, peanuts

Johnny Marzetti

This is a recipe inherited in Texas from my mother-in-law- it is a family favorite of the kids!

1-2 onions per your taste
2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp margarine
1/2 pound small shell macaroni
1 pound cheese grated
2 small cans tomato sauce
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Put aside 1/3 of grated cheese and 1 can tomato sauce for the top of the casserole. Cook macaroni as directed on the package until barely tender. Drain and add margarine. Stir. Set aside.
sauté onions in small amount of oil. Add beef, salt and pepper. Stir well. Cook only until red in beef is gone. Add 2/3 of the cheese to the meat and stir until melted. Add 1 can tomato sauce and 1 can cream of mushroom soup. Stir and mix with macaroni. Put in casserole dish. cover the top with the other can of tomato sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake 30-45 minutes at 325 degrees. Serves 12.

Ingredients: onion, ground beef, salt, pepper, margarine, macaroni, cheese, tomato sauce, cream of mushroom soup

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Peppermint Kiss Cookies

This is the peppermint version of the Hershey kiss cookie.

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/4 cups butter, at room temperature
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup finely chopped Candy Cane flavored Hershey's Kisses
granulated sugar
30 candy cane kisses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixer bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter, extracts and egg. Beat at medium speed scraping bowl often until cream (2-3 minutes). In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Ad to wet mixture and beat, scraping bowl often until well blended (1-2 minutes). The mixture will be a bit crumbly. Stir in chopped kisses.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls, roll in granulated sugar. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set. As soon as they come out of the oven, press a candy cane kiss in the center of the cookie.

Ingredients: powdered sugar, butter, peppermint extract, vanilla, egg, flour, baking powder, salt, candy cane kisses

M&M Cookies

I usually use this recipe at Christmas using red and green M&M's. It could also be used for other holidays, changing the color of the M&M. This is always a kids favorite!

1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Mix ingredients together then stir in some M&M's. Also put M&M's on top of the cookies. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Ingredients: shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, eggs, flour, baking soda, salt

Hershey Kiss Cookies

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine ingredients together. Shape the dough into balls and roll in sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Immediately top each cookie with a hershey kiss (48 kisses total).

Ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, brown sugar, shortening, peanut butter, egg, milk, vanilla

Holly Cookies

This is a new cookie I have made over the past couple of years and has become a favorite of my husbands! I always double this recipe because it doesn't seem to make enough!

1/2 cup butter
30 large marshmallows
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. green food coloring
3 1/2 cups corn flakes
red cinnamon candies

Melt butter and marshmallows, stirring constantly. Add vanilla and food coloring. Mix in corn flakes. Grease a spoon and drop spoonfuls of mixture on greased cookie sheet, or vegetable oil sprayed wax paper. Place 3 red cinnamon candies on each bunch of "holly", pressing slightly so that they stick. Let sit until they have hardened. 2 dozen.

Ingredients: butter, marshmallows, vanilla, green food coloring, corn flakes, cinnamon candies

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies- Mrs. Fields

I have great memories of this recipe and coming home to smelling the chocolate chip cookies after school. It makes a large batch and doesn't need to be doubled!

1 pound real butter
2 cups white sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
4 cups flour
5 cups quick oats
1 pound chocolate chips
nuts or raisins optional

Cream butter, sugars and eggs. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Shape into ball size balls. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 minutes.

Ingredients: butter, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, flour, quick oats, chocolate chips

Congo Bars

This is kind of a cookie bar that was always a favorite of mine that my mom made.

2/3 cup butter
2 1/4 cups brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten well
2 3/4 cup sifted flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 package chocolate chips

Cook the butter and brown sugar together and let cool. Add the other ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Ingredients: butter, brown sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla, chocolate chips

Mom's Chocolate Cookies

This has always been a favorite cookie of mine at Christmas time!

1 3/4 cups sifted flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
4 tbsp. chocolate cocoa
2 tbsp. butter
1/3 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup chopped nuts

Measure sifted flour, baking soda, and salt and sift together. Cream butter, gradually adding sugar and milk until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and egg. Then blend in chocolate combination. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk mixing well. Fold in walnuts. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Makes 3 1/2 dozen. Ice with chocolate icing, topping each cookie with a walnut.

Ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, margarine, sugar, vanilla, egg, chocolate cocoa, butter, buttermilk, nuts

Cherry Bliss Brownies

Found this recipe in a magazine and is a perfect combination of chocolate, cream cheese and cherry!

1 19.5 oz. package brownie mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup water
1 8-oz. softened cream cheese
5 tbsp. butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1 21-oz. can cherry pie filling

In a large bowl prepare brownie mix according to package directions, using oil, eggs, and water. Spread batter in a 9x13 greased pan. Set aside.
Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add sugar. Beat in 2 additional eggs, flour and vanilla. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture over brownie batter in pan. Use a knife to gently cut through batters to create a marble pattern.
Spoon cherry pie filling over top. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before serving.

Ingredients: brownie mix, vegetable oil, eggs, cream cheese, butter, sugar, flour, vanilla, cherry pie filling

Monday, April 16, 2012

Licorice Carmels

1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter (1/2 could be margarine)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup

Mix in heavy pan stirring constantly until 240 degrees- about 25 minutes stirring. Stir all the time or they'll stick or burn. Take off the heat and add:

1 tsp licorice oil or anise oil
3/4 tsp. black paste coloring

Stir and pour in buttered pan, approximately 8x12 pan. Allow to cool, cut and wrap.

Ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, sugar, butter, salt, corn syrup, anise oil, black food coloring if wanted

Almond Brittle

I am not particularly a fan of peanut brittle but I absolutely love this almond brittle recipe! So easy and so so good!

2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 cup butter
2 cups slivered almonds
1 tsp. baking soda

Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a heavy pan. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves. When syrup boils, blend in butter. Stir frequently after mixture reaches the syrup stage (230 degrees). Add almonds when the temperature reaches soft-crack stage (280 degrees) and stir constantly until temperature reaches hard crack stage (350 degrees). Remove from heat. Quickly stir in soda mixing thoroughly. Pour onto buttered cookie sheet and stretch it out as thin as possible using two forks. When cool, break into pieces.

Ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, water, butter, slivered almonds, baking soda

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Peanut Butter Cups

This recipe makes a lot of peanut butter cups- awesome recipe and very easy!

1 stick butter
1 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup white Karo syrup
2 cups powdered sugar

Blend ingredients together. Put blob of chocolate in cup, roll peanut butter in ball. Push in cup and top with chocolate.

Ingredients: butter, peanut butter, corn syrup, powdered sugar

English Toffee

2 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 pound butter
1 pound walnuts/pecans
2 pounds milk chocolate or 3 large Hershey bars

Spread 1/2 of the nuts on a greased cookie sheet. Cook sugar, water, syrup, and butter to 285 degrees. Pour over nuts, grate 1 1/2 giant Hershey bars on the hot candy. Put nuts over that and put in fridge overnight. If desired take out and pour 1 1/2 more bars melted on the other side and reset it. Break after it is cooled. I usually only cover one side of the toffee! One of my Christmas favorites!

Ingredients: sugar, water, corn syrup, butter, nuts, chocolate

Rocky Road Candy

A christmas favorite and so so easy!

1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups sliced walnuts
2 cups mini marshmallows

In 2 quart saucepan, combine butterscotch and chocolate chips with condensed milk, on medium low. Heat stirring until chips are melted. Remove from heat and stir nuts and marshmallows into chocolate mixture. Spread into greased 9 in square baking pan, refridgerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into squares. Makes 2 pounds.

Ingredients: butterscotch chips, semi-sweet chips, sweetened condensed milk, walnuts, marshmellows

7-up Biscuits

4 Ingredients! Quick and totally awesome with homemade honey butter!

2 cup. Bisquick mix
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7-up
1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut sour cream into your Bisquick mix, then add 7-up- it will make a soft dough. Now sprinkle your counter with a little Bisquick mix then add dough and pat out. Melt butter and pour it into a 9 in. square baking pan. Cut your biscuits up and arrange them in pan on top of melted butter. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Ingredients: Bisquick mix, sour cream, 7-up, butter

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

We made these for the perfect St. Patrick's Day treat! Will definitely make again!

3/4 cup butter, room temperature
2 3/4 cup flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Green food coloring, 8-10 drops
2 cups Andes Cream de Menthe baking chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add butter and sugar to mixer. Cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs, scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again. Add vanilla and mix until light and fluffy again. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to mixer and mix on low until combined. Add enough green food coloring to get the right color. Add mint chips and mix until incorporated. Drop cookie dough by the tbsp onto parchment paper on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes at 375 degrees. Let cool.

Ingredients: butter, flour, sugar, egg, baking powder, salt, vanilla, green food coloring, Andes Cream de Menthe baking chips

Bacon Ranch Mac & Cheese

This mac and cheese is the bomb! Very easy and quick recipe!

2 cups elbow noodles- cooked
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Velvetta cheese
3 tsp. ranch seasoning
2 tbs bacon bits

Cook the elbow noodles Melt the velvetta into the noodles and add the ranch seasoning. Add the sour cream and bacon bits. Serve!

Ingredients: elbow noodles, sour cream, velvetta, ranch seasoning, bacon bits

Barbecue Cups

BBQ cups are a favorite at our house. Easy and quick recipe!

1 pound ground beef
Ketchup
Mustard
Brown Sugar- approx 2 tbsp.
Chopped onion

Brown the ground beef and onion. Drain off the grease and add ketchup and mustard to make a sauce to taste. Add approximately 2 tbsp brown sugar. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Seperate biscuits and place into greased muffin tines. Press dough up and along sides of muffin tins. Divide meat mixture between muffins. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

For a added variety you could use chicken or change sauce to barbecue sauce.

Ingredients: Ground beef, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, onion, biscuits, cheese

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

Found this recipe on Pinterest and it is a favorite, as well as quite easy!

2 pounds cubed stew meat
2 cans Condensed Golden Mushroom soup
1 largish onion, diced
2-4 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water
8 oz. cream cheese
couple dashes of garlic salt (1 tsp?)
couple dashes of hot paprika

In the slow cooker stir in all the ingredients, except the meat AND the Cream Cheese, together. Once combined add the meat and mix together. Cook on low for 8 hours. Cut up the cream cheese into cubes just before serving and turn crockpot on high. Stir the cream cheese in until combined. You might have to put the lid back on and leave for 10 minutes.

Serve over egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients: stew meat, golden mushroom soup, onion, worcestershire sauce, ceam cheese, garlic salt, paprika