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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

S'mores Dip




S'MORES DIP

Ingredients:
1 cup of milk chocolate chips
2 tbs. of milk
1¼ cups mini marshmallows
Graham crackers for dipping

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan add chocolate chips, milk and 1 cup of your mallows. Mix continuously over medium heat until melted and smooth. Using a rubber spatula, scrape chocolate mixture into a small casserole dish. Top with remaining mallows. Place dish under your oven broiler for approximately 60 seconds or until the top has started to brown. Dip your graham crackers and enjoy!

Can't wait to make this with my kids!!

Apple Fritters




Apple Fritters

1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup chopped apple

Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons milk

Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon. Stir in milk and egg until just combined. Fold in apple. Pour oil into skillet so that it is approximately 1 1/2 deep. Heat oil on high. Oil is ready when a little dough thrown in floats to top. Carefully add dough to oil in heaping teaspoons. Cook until brown, about 2 minutes, then flip. Cook another 1-2 minutes, until both sides are browned. Transfer briefly to paper towels to absorb excess oil, then transfer to cooling rack. Make glaze by stirring milk and powdered sugar together in a small bowl. Drizzle over apple fritters. Wait approximately 3 minutes for glaze to harden, then flip fritters and drizzle glaze over the other side. Best served warm.

Avocado & Egg Breakfast




One of the ‪healthiest‬ and yummiest breakfast/snacks ever! High in ‪‎protein‬ and healthy fats. So good for you! It's delicious

Ingredients:
-Whole ‪avocado‬
-Eggs
-Cayenne pepper (or any spice of your choice)

Remove the stone from an avocado. Scoop out a little more avocado to increase the size of the stone's crater. Crack an egg into the crater. Sprinkle with Cayenne pepper (cheese too if you desire). Bake in the oven at 180 degrees* until egg is cooked to the level you like.

Did you know that the avocado has been called the world's most perfect food and has many health benefits? It has achieved this distinction because many nutritionists claim it not only contains everything a person needs to survive — but it has also been found to contribute to the prevention and control of Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions.

*Stacie says: I THINK they mean 180 degrees Celcius, which converts to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken




Slow Cooker Italian Chicken

4 chicken breasts, 
1 packet Zesty Italian dressing seasoning, 
8 oz. cream cheese (softened), 
2 cans cream of chicken soup; 

Cook on low for 4 hours. If sauce is too thick, add a little milk. Serve over pasta. Wowzers! 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

EASY Homemade Whipped Cream Frosting





Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups of heavy cream

Directions:

  1. Combine the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract and almond extract in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your mixer.
  2. Once all in the bowl, mix on medium speed until smooth.
  3. While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream.
  4. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a few times while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.
**This recipe makes 5 cups**

  • This is SO delicious
  • It WONT melt at room temperature like regular whipped cream!
  • It's VERY stable.
  • Its wonderful used for frosting a cake or even dipping fruit in it!
  • Not TOO sweet.
  • Very versatile!

All Natural Pancakes




All Natural Pancakes

1 ripe banana
2 whole eggs

That’s it. Just mix together in a bowl and make sure the banana is all mashed. Then spray your pan with a fat free pan spray. On a low to medium heat, scoop some of the batter into the pan and give it about 20-30 sec, flip, and done! Serve and eat!

*Some advice would be to make them small so its easier to flip*

Under 250 calories, nearly 14g of protein! No processed anything! These pancakes are gluten free, low calorie!!


ALL NATURAL PANCAKE RECIPE... NO PROCESSED ANYTHING!!

Cube Steak in the Slow Cooker




Try this awesome Cube Steak Recipe using the Crockpot! It is so easy to make and your family will love it.

Ingredients:
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
6 (about 4 oz. each) beef cube steaks
1 Tbsp. canola oil
3 c. water, divided
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 envelope mushroom gravy mix
1 envelope onion gravy mix

Instructions:
Spray the inside of a 3-5 quart slow
cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the sliced onions in the slow cooker. Combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper in a large sealing plastic bag. Add steaks, a few at a time and shake until completely coated. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the steaks, a few at a time, and cook until lightly browned on each side. Place the browned steaks on top of the onions in the slow cooker. Pour 2 c. water over all. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or until meat is tender.
In a bowl, whisk together the 3 gravy mixes with remaining 1 cup water. Add to slow cooker and cover and cook on Low for 30 minutes longer.

Homemade Mosquito & Pest Repellant




Homemade Mosquito Repellant
(And free from chemicals that poison the body)

Ingredients:
1/2 litre of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
100 gram of whole cloves
100 ml of baby oil or similar (almond, sesame, chamomile, lavender, fennel etc)

Preparation:
Leave cloves to marinate in alcohol four days
Stir every morning and evening
After 4 days add the oil
It's now ready to use.

How to use:
Gently rub a few drops into the skin of the arms and legs.
Observe the mosquitoes fleeing the room.
Repels fleas on pets too.

Fluffy Pink Lemonade Dessert with Pretzel Crust




Fluffy Pink Lemonade Dessert with Pretzel Crust

Crust
2 cups broken pretzels (about 4 oz)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

Topping
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
2 boxes (4-serving size each) white chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix
1 can (12 oz) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
2 or 3 drops red food color
1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Lemon slices


Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F. In food processor bowl with metal blade, place pretzels and sugar. Cover; process 15 to 20 seconds or until finely crushed. With food processor running, drizzle melted butter through feed tube, pulsing to mix well.
  2. Press crust mixture in bottom of ungreased 11x7-inch pan or glass baking dish. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until set and golden brown. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
  3. Remove foil wrapper from cream cheese package, place cream cheese in large microwavable bowl; microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) 45 seconds to 1 minute or until well softened. Stir until smooth. Beat dry pudding mix into cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until well incorporated. Add lemonade concentrate and food color. Beat on low speed until mixed. Beat on medium speed, about 2 minutes until fluffy. Gently stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping until smooth. Spread over crust. Spread remaining whipped topping over lemonade mixture. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until set.
  4. Cut dessert into squares. Garnish each serving with lemon slices, cut into fourths.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Carrot Cake Roll




Carrot Cake Roll

Cake:
3 eggs
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup flour
2 cups shredded carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
Powdered sugar, to aid in rolling

Filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a jelly roll (10x15”) pan with foil and spray with cooking spray (I like to use the spray with flour).
  2. Beat eggs at high speed for 5 minutes, until frothy and dark yellow. Beat in sugar, oil, and vanilla extract.
  3. Whisk together salt, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and flour. Stir into wet ingredients just until blended. Stir in carrots.
  4. Spread in prepared pan. Batter will be in a very thin layer and you will need to use a wooden spoon or spatula to spread it to all the corners of the pan. Bake for 9-11 minutes (mine took 10).
  5. While the cake is baking, set a clean kitchen towel out on a large work surface. Sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar (about 1/4 cup). As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, turn it over on the kitchen towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Remove foil carefully.
  6. Working at the short end, fold the edge of the towel over the cake. Roll tightly, rolling up the cake into the towel. Let cool completely while rolled, at least one hour.
  7. While the cake is cooling, make the frosting. Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla.
  8. When cake is cool, carefully unroll the towel. Spread the filling on the cake evenly, and re-roll tightly. Chill until it firms up a bit, at least thirty minutes to one hour. Dust with powdered sugar,then slice and serve. Cake can be wrapped in plastic and frozen for up to one month.
Optional: add 1/2-1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts to the filling!

Yield: 12 servings

Bread-Less Sub Sandwich




If you love cucumbers, you will love this. I saw this on a friends page and I had to repost.

Cucumber subs with turkey, green onions and Laughing Cow cheese! Yum!! All the goodness without all that bread!

Homemade Citronella Candles for Backyard Parties




GREAT IDEA!! FOR BACKYARD FUN, NO BUGS!!

There was some discussion a while back on getting rid of mosquitoes. While there's lots of products out there, here's one way to do it, have a stylish yard and keep the costs down too.

All you need is a package of Mason jars, some cotton string and some liquid citronella (find it in big jugs at any home-improvement store and even some grocery stores). Use a hammer and nail to poke a hole in the top of the lid, then pour in the citronella, put the top on and drop in the wick. Allow the string about 10 minutes to soak up some oil, then place them around your backyard and light them!

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner




Homemade Jewelry Cleaner


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

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

Quick Chocolate Chip Cookies



Kitchen tip! In a mood for sweets? Make these quick chocolate chip cookies in 15 minutes

One yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Hawaiian Wedding Cake




HAWAIIAN WEDDING CAKE

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup coconut
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple with juice

Mix all ingredients and pour into greased 13 x 9” pan. Bake at 350 F degrees for 40-45 minutes. Cool.

HAWAIIAN WEDDING CAKE FROSTING:
1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese
1 1/2 cup powdered (icing) sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla

Blend well. Frost cooled cake. Garnish with chopped nuts, coconut or chopped fruit, if desired.

Commentary suggestions:
1 tsp coconut extract in the cake
1/2 tsp coconut extract in the frosting


So moist, and as Hawaiian as your creative juices will allow.

Banana Bread with Honey and Applesauce




Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar free applesauce
3/4 cup honey
2 eggs, beaten
3 mashed overripe bananas


Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
  2. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
  3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix together applesauce and honey. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended.
  5. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. 
  7. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Banana Bread with honey and applesauce instead of sugar and oil. Delicious and Healthy.

Old Fashioned Butter Cake



Old Fashioned Butter Cake

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
sifted powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour baking dish.

Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Combine flour with baking soda and salt. Add to batter alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour.

Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for about 1 ½ hours or until a pick inserted comes out clean.

Allow cake to stand 5 minutes and remove from pan and finish cooling on a rack.

Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Toffee Chocolate Bars



Toffee Chocolate Bars

Base:
3/4 c margarine,softened
3/4 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 c flour

Filling/Topping:
10 oz tin sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp margarine
1 3/4 cups milk chocolate chips
1 1/3 c toffee bits


Base:

Cream together margarine,brown sugar and flour until well blended and mixture sticks together. Press into 9x13 pan. Bake at 350* for 20-25 min or until light golden. Cool while preparing filling.

Filling:

Heat sweetened condensed milk and margarine in heavy pan,stirring constantly over med heat for 5-10 min or until thickened. Spread over cooled base. Bake at 350* for 12-15 min or until golden. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top. Bake for 2 min longer or until chocolate is shiny and soft. Remove from oven. Spread chocolate evenly. Sprinkle toffee bits on top,pressing lightly into chocolate. Cool completely and cut into bars.

Block Party?? I would like to bring dessert...

Roasted Ranch Potatoes




Roasted Ranch Potatoes

Ingredients:
2 pounds potatoes (unpeeled, washed and cut into chunks)
1/2 cup ranch dressing (bottled, not packet)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus 1/4 cup more for topping
1/4 cup crumbled, cooked bacon or real bacon pieces from jar
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
3 scallions, washed and chopped
Salt
Pepper
Sour Cream (optional)
Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Add (in a large bowl) the ranch dressing, dill, cheese and bacon. Add in the potatoes. Sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat potatoes.
  3. Spoon into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Cover with foil.
  4. Bake for 60 minutes. Stir gently halfway through to get the bottom potatoes rotated so they don't become burnt and to ensure that the middle and top potatoes get a chance to brown.
  5. Remove foil. Raise oven temperature to 400 degrees. Gently stir again, as necessary.
  6. Bake for an additional 15 minutes, then sprinkle with additional cheese. Bake a few more minutes or until everything is gooey, browned and bubbly on top.
  7. Serve with scallions sprinkled on top for garnish.
Great with a dollop of sour cream.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Wendy's Restaurant Chili



FB Source: Tracy L. Gross

Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
one 29-ounce can tomato sauce
one 29-ounce can kidney beans (with liquid)
one 29-ounce can pinto beans (with liquid)
1 cup diced onion (1 medium onion)
1/2 cup diced green chili (2 chilies)
1/4 cup diced celery (1 stalk)
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 teaspoons cumin powder
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups water

Directions:

  1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat; drain off the fat.
  2. Using a fork, crumble the cooked beef into pea-size pieces.
  3. In a large pot, combine the beef plus all the remaining ingredients, and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring every 15 minutes, for 2 to 3 hours.

Apple Braid




Apple Braid

Apple Filling:
3 medium-size Granny Smith apples
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Bread:
(note: before you panic about making bread, I have done this recipe using Pillsbury Crescent Roll Dough that I simply roll out & pinch the seams closed and then proceed with the slicing - so if you don't want to make bread dough - try this shortcut!)
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast (I prefer SAF Instant Yeast)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons vegetable oil

Glaze:
1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
5 teaspoons whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt
Pinch of nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices, then cut the slices in half. Toss the apple pieces with the sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Bake the apple filling in an 8-inch square baking pan (or 9-inch pie tin) for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. (Note: Do not turn the oven off at this point. You will be using it to bake the finished braid.)

Make the Bread: While the apple filling is baking, begin preparing the bread dough. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add the water and oil and mix the dough for 6 minutes using an electric mixer on medium-high speed.

Spray a smooth clean surface with cooking spray and turn the dough out onto the surface. Knead the dough briefly to give it a smooth surface (this will only take several turns of the dough to accomplish). Spray a rolling pin with cooking spray and roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 12-inches by 16-inches in size. Lift onto a greased baking sheet.

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each side into strips about 1-inch wide down each side, leaving the center third of the dough uncut. Spread the apple filling down the middle third of the dough. Fold strips of dough into the center, crisscrossing the filling by alternating strips from each side. Lightly press ends to seal, and straighten out the braid with your hands, if necessary, to straighten.

Bake the braid in the oven for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the braid cool for several minutes.

Make the Glaze: Whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl until blended and smooth.
Brush the glaze in a thick coat over the entire surface of the apple braid while it is still cooling. Carefully transfer the braid to a cooling rack set on a baking sheet (to catch drips) to finish cooling and prevent the bottom of the braid from becoming soggy from sitting in any pooling glaze. Slice and serve.

Easy Slow Cooker Potato Soup Recipe




EASY Slow Cooker POTATO SOUP RECIPE:

Ingredients:
1 (30 oz.) bag frozen hash-brown potatoes (I use the squared, southern style)
2 (14 oz.) cans chicken broth
1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
1/2c chopped onion
1/3 tsp. ground black pepper
1 (8oz) package cream cheese (softened)
Garnish: minced green onion

Directions:
1. In a slow cooker, combine potatoes, broth, soup, onion, and pepper.
2. Cover, and cook on low for 5 hours.
3. Stir in cream cheese, cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until combined.
4. Garnish with green onion.

KFC Original Recipe Chicken




KFC Original Recipe Chicken

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
3 beaten eggs
4 tablespoons oil

For the coating
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon tarragon
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt

Directions:
1 Sift together all the coating ingredients and place in a clean plastic bag. Coat each chicken piece first with the beaten egg, then with the flour mixture in the bag. Make sure you coat each piece completely with the flour.
2 Heat the oil in a skillet. Brown the chicken in oil slowly, uncovered. Once browned, cover the skillet and keeping frying on a very gentle heat until the chicken is fully cooked. Place on paper towels to drain out the excess oil.


11 Herbs and spices...... Enjoy.
Disclosure: Add Catchup...This makes it my recipe' KFC = Kool Freaken Chicken

Texas Roadhouse Rolls - YES The Real Recipe




~ Texas Roadhouse Rolls - "YES" The Real Recipe ~ 

Ingredients:
4 tsp. active dry yeast
1/2 c. warm water
2 c. milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm
3 Tbl. of melted butter, slightly cooled
1/2 c. sugar
2 quarts all purpose flour (7-8 cups)
2 whole eggs
2 tsp. salt

Directions:

  1. Dissolve yeast in warm water with a teaspoon of sugar; let stand until frothy. Combine yeast mixture, milk, 1/2 cup sugar and enough flour to make a medium batter (about the consistency of pancake batter). Beat thoroughly. Add melted butter, eggs and salt. Beat well. Add enough flour to form a soft dough. Sprinkle a small amount of flour onto counter and let dough rest.
  2. Meanwhile, grease a large bowl.
  3. Knead dough until smooth and satiny and put in greased bowl; turn over to grease top. (I used the dough hook on my Kitchen-Aid to knead this for about 4-5 minutes).
  4. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk.
  5. Punch down. Turn out onto a floured board. Divide into portions for shaping; let rest 10 minutes. 
  6. Shape dough into desired forms. Place on greased baking sheets. Let rise until doubled.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
  8. Baste immediately with butter.
Yield: 5 to 6 dozen. Serve with Cinnamon Honey Butter.

*Extra Tips: Shape the rolls into a rectangle, about 1/2-inch thick, then fold it in half, making it an inch thick. Roll over the dough to seal the two halves and using a dough scraper, cut them into squares and place them on the baking sheet