Chocolate Frogs

Just for Fun I thought I'd show the Chocolate Frogs that we made (we're big Harry Potter fans around here.) You can buy the frog candy molds on Amazon for $2 each. They make 11 frogs each and can be reused over and over. I just melted white chocolate and dyed it with food coloring.

Quinoa with Garbanzo Beans and Tomatoes

I know I said I would never use ingredients that I couldn't pronounce, but since I recently learned how to pronounce Quinoa (Keen-wa) I'm using this recipe. I signed up for the Iron Chef Challenge with my health insurance company. They tell me a "secret" ingredient to use during the week and I have to give it a try. The first week of the challenge was Quinoa. Turns out Quinoa is hard to find here in town. But Fresh Value does have it and I'm pretty sure any Whole Foods type store would have it as well. It can be found near the rice, since it is also a grain. Quinoa is also Gluten free for anyone on special diets for Celiac problems. Quinoa is cooked just like rice. I did mine in my rice cooker and it turned out perfectly.

This can be made as a side dish or a vegetarian main dish. The lime juice gives this a really fresh taste.



Ingredients

* 1 cup quinoa
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1 3/4 cups water
* 1 cup canned garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
* 1 tomato, chopped
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 3 tablespoons lime juice
* 4 teaspoons olive oil
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
* 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer, and rinse under cold, running water until the water no longer foams. Bring the quinoa, salt, and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. (Or do this step in a rice cooker.)
2. Once done, stir in the garbanzo beans, tomatoes, garlic, lime juice, and olive oil. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro to serve.

Eldorado Cheese Casserole

1 lb. Hamburger or Turkey Burger
Brown meat and add:
2 Tbsp. minced onions
1/2 Tsp. garlic salt
1 15 oz. red enchilada sauce

Simmer for 5 minutes then add:
1 Cup sliced olives
1 Cup sour cream
1 Cup cottage cheese, or ricotta cheese
1 small can green chilies

Spray a 9X13 pan and layer tortilla chips, then meat mixture, then grated cheese. Repeat layers. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

25 Common Cooking Mistakes

I found this article about the mistakes we all tend to make while cooking. Maybe you have never made any of these mistakes, in which case, you have truly earned your chef hat! I for one have made several of these mistakes. Though, I'm a really fantastic measurer!

25 Cooking Mistakes

Eggplant Parmesan

I got an eggplant in my Bountiful Basket today. I didn't know what in the world to do with eggplant. I don't think I've ever even eaten eggplant in my whole life. So I did what anyone would do and I Googled Eggplant Recipes (actually Easy Eggplant Recipes...I do like to keep it simple!) This recipe was fantastic! Either Eggplant is an amazing veggie with a bad reputation or else the recipe is just awesome, I don't know which. But give this a try and see if you don't feel like giving Eggplant another chance.


Ingredients

* 1 beaten egg
* 1/4 cup fat-free milk
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper
* 1 cup crushed saltine crackers (28 crackers)
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
* 1 medium eggplant, sliced 1/4 inch thick (1 pound total)
* Nonstick cooking spray
* 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (3 ounces)

Directions

1. In a small bowl combine egg, milk, and pepper. In another bowl stir together cracker crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and dried parsley flakes.

2. Dip eggplant slices in the milk mixture to coat, then dip both sides in the cracker mixture.

3. Lightly coat a 2-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange eggplant in dish.

4. In a bowl stir together tomato sauce, oregano, and garlic; pour over eggplant.

5. Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 minutes or until eggplant is tender. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes more. Makes 4 servings.

Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1/2 C. butter
1 C. Sugar
2 eggs
1 C. mashed ripe bananas (3-4)
1/4 C. milk
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 C. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 C. chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat. Add bananas, milk, and lemon juice. Sift dry ingredients and add nuts. Mix everything together. Bake in well greased loaf pan for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Makes 1 loaf.

Tip: Black Pepper

Tip #9: Throw out that nasty old pre-ground black pepper you've been using and buy a real pepper grinder or at least one like the one on the right in this picture. You will be amazed that you can really taste a difference. Don't believe me? Try it tomorrow morning in your scrambled eggs. Maybe I should take my own advice and throw out my old ground pepper too...I haven't used it in years though, I swear!

Tip: Ripening Fruit

Do you have fruit that you think will never ripen? Put it in a paper sack on the counter for a day or two and it will ripen faster. I have not tried this with bananas though. Works for peaches, pears, plums etc.

Egg Roll Wraps

EGG ROLL WRAPS

2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/2 c. ice water
Cornstarch

Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Make a well and add eggs and water Stir with a fork until dough holds together and leaves bowl clean. Turn out onto lightly floured surface, knead until smooth - about 5 minutes. Cover dough with the bowl and let stand for 30 minutes. Don't expect the dough to raise, it's only resting.

Divide into fourths. Dust pastry board with cornstarch. Roll each fourth to a 14 x 11 inch rectangle. Cut into 3 1/2 inch squares. (The cornstarch prevents them from sticking together). Makes 24.

Ham Fried Rice

Ham Fried Rice


2 Tbsp. oil
1/2 cup sliced green onion (regular onion works fine too)
1 C. Ham or bacon
3 Cups rice, cooked (if it's chilled it doesn't stick together as much)
1/4 C. soy sauce
2 eggs
1 C. frozen peas

Directions:
1) Saute onions and ham in oil until onion is soft
2) Add rice to the pan and mix well
3) scrape all the mixture to one side so you have one side with the bottom of the pan showing. Pour soy sauce there. hold the pan at an angle over burner so only soy sauce is cooking. Let the soy sauce bubble for about a minute. You may think it's burning but its not. This step is important for getting the right flavor.
4) stir rice mixture and soy sauce together
5) make a hole in the middle of the mixture and scramble the eggs inside it. When eggs are cooked mix them in with the rice mixture.
6) Add the peas and warm them through.

I know I made it sound sorta difficult, but it's really not. Give it a try and you'll see!

Egg Rolls

Ingredients
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1/2 lb ground lean pork
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 1/2 medium onions, minced
* 2 green onions, finely chopped
* 5 cups cabbage coleslaw blend
* 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* salt
* pepper
* 15 egg roll wraps - or follow this recipe to make your own like I did.
* water

Directions:

1. Heat oil in skillet.
2. Sauté garlic and onions until tender.
3. Add pork and sauté until browned.
4. Add coleslaw blend and stir-fry on high heat about 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and add seasonings, and salt and pepper to taste.
6. To assemble, place 2 tbs filling near corner towards you. Then fold over left and right sides. Dampen edges of the corner that is away from you, and finish rolling.
7. Deep fry at 350°F (or just use a fry daddy), until golden brown.
8. Drain on paper towels and enjoy!
9. These can also be frozen and fried later. Some people like a dipping sauce for egg rolls. But these are so tasty, they really don't need one.

Strawberry Freezer Jam

I always thought that people who made jam must really have a lot of patience, skill, and overwhelming essence of Supermomness. Turns out that even I can make strawberry freezer jam! Anything requiring a canning jar is a little intimidating to me. Though I'm starting to feel more comfortable, but I still feel like quite the novice. Anyway, make some freezer jam -- it will make you think you're as awesome as your own mother. Luckily I have a chest freezer so I can make lots. The other day I made 15 pints of the oooey, gooey, Holy-cow-that's-a-lot-of-sugar yumminess!


NO COOK FREEZER STRAWBERRY JAM

1 qt. strawberries
4 c. sugar
1 box Sure-Jell
3/4 c. water

Prepare containers and fruit:

Wash and rinse with boiling water and drain. Use 1 to 2 cup glass or rigid plastic containers with tight fitting lids.

Have fruit at room temperature. Wash and drain well. If using food processor, take care not to puree fruit. Use exact measure of prepared fruit; extra fruit can affect sets.

Remove caps from berries. Thoroughly crush fruit one layer at a time. Measure 2 cups into large bowl. Measure exact amount of sugar (4 cups). Add sugar to fruit and stir thoroughly. Let stand 10 minutes. Mix 3/4 cup water and contents of Sure-Jell in small saucepan.

Bring to a full boil, boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir into fruit and continue stirring for 3 minutes. (A few sugar crystals will remain.) Ladle quickly into prepared containers, filling to within 1/2 inch of tops.

Wipe spills with a clean damp cloth. Cover at once. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours. Store in freezer. Small amounts of unfrozen jam or thawed maybe covered and stored in refrigerator up to 3 weeks. Makes approximately 4 3/4 cups.

This recipe will almost, but not quite fill up 3 pint jars. I made 5 batches to get me 15 pints.

4 Layer Pie

I've heard this called many things, (my favorite being "Girdle Buster"), but my family has always called it 4 Layer Pie. I guess that shows how terribly creative we are. But it tastes awesome no matter what you prefer to call it!



4 Layer Pie

Layer 1: 1 1/2 C flour
1 1/2 sticks margarine or butter
1 Cup pecans - diced
Mix all together and press into the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
I'll admit,I usually just buy 2 crusts (graham cracker, chocolate or Oreo all work great) instead of making this layer.

Layer 2:
8 oz cream cheese
2 C. Cool Whip
2 C. Powdered Sugar
Mix together well.

Layer 3: 2 small or 1 large chocolate pudding mixed as directed on the package.

Let pie set in refrigerate and then add layer 4.

Layer 4: Cool Whip on top.

Take this to your next family reunion and I guarantee they will invite you to come back!

Tip: Tomato based leftovers

Tip #7: Storing tomato based leftovers.

Do you hate it when your storage containers (I will always want to call them Tupperware even though I've never owned any actual Tupperware) start looking nasty and are impossible to clean. Be sure to spray your container with cooking spray before putting any tomato based leftovers in them and they will look nice and new for a lot longer. Also, teach your husband not to put them in the microwave. I almost have mine trained. Unless I'm not around to catch him at it.

Strawberry Mousse Pie

Strawberry Mousse Pie


1 Graham cracker crust (or make your own)
1 packet unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
2 Cups strawberries - hulled and sliced
1/4 cup extra fine granulated sugar
1 Cup heavy cream - chilled
3 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a saucepan; let stand 1 minute to soften. Stir over low heat until gelatin is dissolved (about 1 minute) remove from heat.

Place berries, sugar and gelatin mixture in a blender. Puree. Pour into bowl. Chill until mixture mounds when dropped from spoon. About an hour.

Beat cream and powdered sugar in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form. Stir 1/4 of cream into strawberry puree to lighten mixture. Fold in remaining cream. Pour into crust. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Tip: Hulling Strawberries

Tip #6 -- Hulling Strawberries
You can buy gadgets to hull strawberries with or just slice off the green tops, but here's a better tip. Use a normal drinking straw and poke it in the bottom pointy part of the strawberry and push it through til the green top comes off. Kids love to help with this.

Chicken Breast Supreme

I think the name of this recipe is sorta silly but with so many chicken recipes out there I guess you have to get creative. It is "supremely" good though. Sorry, no picture. We were too hungry and just dug right in without taking a picture.

Chicken Breast Supreme

6-8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 envelope dry Italian Seasoning
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 container of chive and onion cream cheese

Place chicken in sprayed 9X13 pan. Sprinkle with dry Italian dressing. Cream together the soup and cream cheese until smooth. Pour over chicken. Bake at 375 for 1 hour. Serve over rice or noodles. This recipe also works great in a crockpot.

Super Yummy Meatloaf

Why does meatloaf have such a bad reputation? It doesn't have to be dry and disgusting. I made this and my kids gobbled their plates clean, even Drake who doesn't like anything!
Super Yummy Cream of Mushroom Meatloaf

Mix together:
1 lb. ground beef, raw
1 egg
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. Ketchup
1 Tbsp. Mustard
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup green bell pepper - chopped
Salt and pepper

Put Meat mixture in a greased bread loaf pan. Pour 1 can of cream of mushroom soup over the top. Don't dilute the soup with water or milk. And don't try to use light or reduced fat soup, it doesn't work as well. Poke a few holes so the cream of mushroom can soak down into the meat.

Bake at 375 for 1 hour.

7 Layer Dip

My husband is a professor who just finished a very challenging semester. He thought he deserved a special treat to celebrate. He loves 7 layer dip but I hate all the chopping involved. So we compromised. He chopped up the olives and tomatoes while I did the rest. It's always fun to work in the kitchen with him. I told him he had to wait 2 hours while it chilled. Twenty minutes later I hear the tell-tale squeak of the fridge door and the unmistakable sound of the chip bag being opened. He thinks he was being sneaky, but I am so onto him!

7 LAYER DIP


INGREDIENTS:
One or two cans of refried bean
One large container of sour cream (16 oz)
One package of taco seasoning
Shredded cheddar and Monteray Jack cheeses
Chopped tomatoes
One can of olives, chopped
4-5 green onions, chopped
3-4 Cups of guacamole
1/2 C salsa

1) In a bowl mix together the refried beans, half the taco seasoning, the salsa, and a couple tablespoons of sour cream. Spread the mixture into a large casserole dish (9X13)

2) In a separate bowl mix the sour cream with the remaining taco seasoning. Spread the sour cream mixture on top of the refried beans mixture.

3) Carefully spread the guacamole on top of the sour cream mixture. Take care not to mix the two together.

4) Toss the two types of grated cheese together, then spread them on top of the guacamole. Sprinkle with the olives, tomatoes, and green onions.

Chill for a couple of hours and then enjoy! Sneakily, if you must.

Citrus Grilled Chicken

I look for recipes from many sources. This recipe I just got in the mail from the realtor who sold us our house. It sounded good so I gave it a try. My husband, the super-awesome-grillmaster cooked them to perfection. And it was absolutely delicious. I would probably marinate the chicken for a little longer next time though. I used the leftover chicken to put in a salad the next day and felt like I'd paid $10 at a restaurant for a grilled chicken salad.

CITRUS GRILLED CHICKEN


INGREDIENTS:
1 Chicken (cut up), I used 4 very large chicken breasts instead
1/4 C olive oil
1/4 C orange juice
1/4 C lime juice
2 Tbsp. chopped onion
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. red pepper sauce.

Combine all ingredients (except chicken) and mix well. Pour marinade over chicken in a shallow dish. Refrigerate for 4 hours, turning occasionally. Remove meat from marinade and grill.

Pumpkin Cookies

I know it's not Fall and you usually think of Fall as the time for enjoying pumpkin cookies. I just had some canned pumpkin that was about to expire so I used it. You'll love these cookies. There's something about the pumpkin and butterscotch flavors together that is awesome! I usually double this batch because this doesn't make that many cookies.


PUMPKIN COOKIES


INGREDIENTS:
1/2 C shortning
1 1/2 C sugar
1 C Pumpkin Puree 100%
1 Egg
2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 Cup Butterscotch chips

Cream shortning, sugar, pumpkin, and egg. Mix in separate bowl all dry ingredients. Combine. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.

Swiss Chicken

This is technically supposed to be Swiss Chicken but I used Mozzarella and it turned out great.

Swiss Chicken


Ingredients:
6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 slices swiss cheese
8 slices ham
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup water
2 C seasoned stuffing mix
1/3 cup melted margarine or butter

Place ham and cheese on chicken in a greased 9X13 pan. Mix water and soup together and pour over chicken. Sprinkle stuffing over chicken and drizzle margarine over stuffing. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes. Check to make sure chicken is cooked all the way through.

Pasta Crab Salad

It's that time of year again! Time for grillin' some juicy hamburgers in the nice weather. So here's an awesome side salad to go with those burgers.

Pasta Crab Salad


Ingredients:

2 C dry pasta shells
1/2 C mayonnaise
1 C sour cream
1 small onion
1 lb. crab, shredded
1 C peas
Salt to taste

Cook shells. Mix mayo and sour cream. Add peas, onion, crab and drained shells. Mix well. Chill for a couple of hours before serving.

Yummy Cornbread

I tried this cornbread recipe the other day and it was delicious. Usually I think cornbread is too dense and gritty but this wasn't like that at all.




Ingredients

* 2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1 cup sugar
* 3 eggs
* 1 2/3 cups milk
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/3 cup cornmeal
* 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Combine the eggs and milk. Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with egg mixture.
2. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cut into squares; serve warm.

Easy Key Lime Pie

I found this recipe on Cooks.com. It is so easy and really, really good! Would make a great dessert for St. Patrick's Day.

Easy Key Lime Pie

1 pkg. cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 14 oz. can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
1/2 Cup lime juice
1 8 oz container of cool whip
3-4 drops of green food coloring

Mix the ingredients with a hand mixer and pour into a 9 in. graham cracker crust. Refrigerator for about 3 hours before serving.

HINT: Tell the kids it's green and disgusting so they won't want any and you can have it all for yourself! Ohhhh...and then hit the gym like you've just begun your New Year's Resolution.

Cheesy Chicken & Rice

This is a great recipe for busy days. It takes very little time to throw together and I always have these ingredients on hand. Plus it's yummy!

Cheesy Chicken & Rice

3 cans cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups regular long grain rice
1 Cup cheese
6 chicken breast halves
Paprika
Pepper

In 9X13 pan mix soup, rice water and cheese. Put chicken on rice mixture (you don't have to cook it first) Sprinkle chicken with paprika and pepper. Bake at 375 for 1 hour or until chicken is no longer pink.

Hamburger Vegetable Casserole

This is similar to a meatloaf only with a great sauce and lots of hidden veggies. My kids really love it. My 7 year old just barely realized that it has vegetables in it. Of course, she is my veggie lover so she was happy about that. (I actually have to hide the celery if I need to use it for a meal or she will eat it all!)

HAMBURGER VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Meatball mixture:

1 lb. hamburger
2 grated carrots
2 grated potatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
pepper

Sauce:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can milk


Combine ingredients for meatball mixture. Make medium size meatballs and fry a little until browned and balls hold together as well as possible. Put meatballs in a casserole dish and pour sauce over. You can also add cheese. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. This is also a great recipe to freeze for later.

White Chili

I found this on my friend Lauren's blog and decided to give it a try. I only used 1 can of green chilies and a dash or two of cayenne and it was still spicy enough. Uhhh...Lauren I just copied and pasted your recipe and stole your picture. Don't be mad at me!


CREAMY WHITE CHILI
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes*
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder (I used 2 cloves fresh minced garlic)
1 tablespoon oil
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream (sometimes I just use milk and it works fine)

In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.

 * This can easily be made a vegetarian meal by substituting a can of chickpeas for the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.  In fact I think I like it even better that way. 

Tip: Onions

If you're only using 1/2 of an onion save the root half. It will keep longer in the fridge. Then double bag it so it doesn't stink up your fridge.

Baked Ziti

BAKED ZITI

1 pound dry Ziti pasta (or Rigatoni)
1/2 onion chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
2 (26 oz) jars of spaghetti sauce

6 oz provolone cheese, sliced
1 cup sour cream
4-6 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente.

2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer 15 minutes. I usually sprinkle in some Italian seasoning, oregano and garlic salt too.

3. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Butter (or spray) a 9 X 13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated cheese.

4. Bake for 35 minutes or until cheese melts.

This makes a super full 9X13 pan full. I usually don't use all the ziti that it calls for.

Spicy Bean Dip

I made this for Super Bowl Sunday. It was good but definitely not low fat!

SPICY BEAN DIP

1 can refried beans

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 cups sour cream

cayenne pepper to taste

1/2 c. salsa

1 can black beans

3 cups shredded cheese

1 can green chilies



Mix together in a crock pot on low until cooked through. Serve with chips.

Tip: Getting rid of that smell

Tip #4: Vinegar and water boiled on the stove will take that stinky bacon smell out of the air.

My husband hates the smell of bacon. Well, at least he likes it when it's breakfast time but when that smell lingers he gets irritated. So boil 1 Cup of water with 2 TBSP of Vinegar in it and it will neutralize the smell.

Tip: Crisco in Cookies

Tip #3: Substitute Crisco for the butter in your chocolate chip cookies.

Don't use butter or margarine when making those chocolate chip cookies. It may sound better than Crisco but the taste is not. Substitute Crisco instead and your cookies will be much softer and so delicious! If it makes you feel better you can buy the butter flavored Crisco.

Tip: Shredded Cheese

Tip #2: Buy shredded Cheese. After having my twins I had to find a few ways to save time in the kitchen. So now I always have a bag of shredded cheese on hand. Just check the prices in your grocery store and you'll find there isn't a big difference in the price. Sometimes the shredded cheese is even cheaper.

Tip: Pizza Cutter

I've decided to start posting a few of my favorite kitchen tips.

Tip #1: Pizza Cutters aren't just for pizza.

My all time favorite kitchen accessory is my pizza cutter. Pizza cutters are a much easier way to cut up all your kids food. I've found that with four young children all begging for their food it's nice to get it from the pan to the table in a hurry! Don't underestimate the value of that cute little guy!

Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas

Once again I forgot to take a picture but here's an easy and delicious recipe. My husband used to take this to work for the faculty pot luck dinners and the secretaries would keep wandering past his office just to get a whiff!

CROCKPOT CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

2cans cream of chicken soup
1 C. sour cream
1 small can green chilies
1 C. sliced olives (optional)
2 C. grated cheese, Colby Jack or Cheddar
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (browned and cut up into bite-size pieces)
1 doz. corn tortillas

Sauce: Mix sour cream, soup, olives and chilies

Spray Crockpot with cooking spray. Begin layering with a little sauce on the bottom of the Crockpot: 3-4 tortillas, 1/3 of chicken pieces, 1/4 of cheese, then 1/4 of remaining sauce. Repeat layering 2 more times. End with sauce and cheese on top. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or on High 3-4 hours.

Applesauce Choc. Chip Muffins

I've had a hard time getting one of my children to get up for school in the morning. The main problem seems to be that he's bored with the same ol' breakfast all the time. I am not a morning person so I'm not getting up long before the kids do in order to make a fancy breakfast. So we came up with the idea of Monday Muffin Morning. I will make muffins on Sunday night and the kids can eat them on Monday morning. Here's the recipe for my first batch of muffins.

APPLESAUCE CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS


Ingredients list:

2 medium eggs.
4 cups of flour.
2 cups of unsweetened applesauce.
2 cups of sugar.
1 cup of chocolate chips
1 cup of butter.
3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
2 teaspoons of ground allspice.
2 teaspoons of baking soda.
1 teaspoon of ground cloves.
1 teaspoon of salt.
Powdered sugar.
Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cream the butter and sugar.

Add the eggs, one at a time.

Mix in the applesauce, cinnamon, allspice and cloves.

Sift the salt, baking soda and flour together, then add to applesauce mixture and mix thoroughly.

Stir in the chopped nuts.

Pour into greased muffin tins and bake for about 15 minutes.

While still warm, sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar.

I found this at muffinrecipes.net

Easy Chicken Parmesan

I made Chicken Parmesan for the first time ever today. I love to order this at Olive Garden but my husband refuses to take me to Olive Garden (Why pay for pasta that my wife could make better anyway?). So I found this recipe online and it was easy and terrific! No more cravings for Olive Garden for me!

EASY CHICKEN PARMESAN


Ingredients:
* 4 - 5 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
* 1 egg
* 1/2 cup milk
* seasoned bread crumbs
* 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 8 slices mozzarella cheese, or more
* 1 jar (16 oz) spaghetti sauce
* Parmesan cheese

Preparation:
Whisk together the egg and milk. Dip the chicken breasts in milk and egg mixture and then in bread crumbs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in the hot oil on both sides until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Set chicken in a baking dish.

Slice 8 pieces of mozzarella cheese and put two on each chicken breast. Pour 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce over all. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a little more mozzarella and bake at 350° for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly. Serve with spaghetti, garlic bread and a nice green salad.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

EASY CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

1 8 oz pkg of softened cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
12-16 oz of salsa
4 chicken breasts - chopped or shredded
6-8 flour tortillas
shredded cheese

Season chicken breasts to taste and grill or you can just boil them until no longer pink. Shred the chicken.

Mix cooked chicken with cream cheese (you want the cream cheese to be very soft and spreadable). Then stir in 1/2 of the salsa.

Add a heaping spoonful of chicken mix to tortilla and roll up. Place seam side down in a greased 9-13 pan.

After all of chicken mix is used, mix sour cream, can of cream of chicken soup and the rest of the salsa together in a separate bowl. Spread over the enchiladas. Cover with cheese and bake on 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

Sorry, I don't have a picture. My family gobbled these up so fast I didn't have time to get my camera out!

Southwestern Chicken

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN

2 cans whole kernel corn
1 can black beans
1 (16 oz) jar chunky salsa
6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cubed
1 C. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt

Combine corn, beans, chili powder, salt and 1/2 cup salsa in crockpot. Top with chicken and pour remaining salsa on top. Cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 7-8 hours. Sprinkle cheese on top and heat until melted. You can serve this over rice or in tortillas or just by itself.

Fruit Salad

FRUIT SALAD


1 (3 1/2 OZ) pkg. vanilla pudding (Not Instant!)
1 (3 oz) orange jello
1 medium Cool Whip
2 can's mandarin oranges
1 Can pineapple
Bananas (optional)

Cook pudding, using water instead of milk. Mix in dry jello and let set in refrigerator over night. Whip with an electric mixer. Stir in fruit and Cool whip.

Pork Chops

PORK CHOPS AND POTATOES


4-6 Pork chops
1 Can Cream of Mushroom soup
1/2 C. Sour Cream
1/4 C. Water
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
4 C. sliced potatoes

Brown porkchops (or bake on top of the potatoes). Mix soup, sour cream, water and parsley. In casserole dish alternate layers of potatoes, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and sauce. Top with pork chops. Cover and bake at 375 for 1 hr. 15 minutes. You can also do this in the crockpot.

I generally double this meal for my family of 6.