Cheddar Ham Soup

My 8 year old son had to plan and prepare a meal for his Boy Scout requirements and he chose this soup to make tonight. I was proud of him for doing it all (except for chopping the onions!) It's a substantial soup that's perfect for a cold day. Recipe from Taste of Home magazine.

2 cups diced peeled potatoes
2 cups water
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
1 cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)

In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, water, carrot and onion. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, in another saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add the milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir into undrained potato mixture. Add ham and peas, if desired; heat through. Yield: 5-7 servings.

Cinnamon Batter-Dipped French Toast

This recipe comes from my friend Tisha, who has some amazing recipes on her blog. This recipe is like a mix between pancakes and French Toast!

2 cups Bisquick (biscuit mix)
1 1/4 cups milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
12 slices bread

Heat griddle or skillet. Spray with cooking spray. Stir Bisquick, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and eggs until blended. Dip bread in batter and drain excess batter into the bowl. Place on hot griddle. Cook 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with syrup and whipped cream, if desired. 

Whole Wheat Dinner Muffins

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these muffins! They are whole wheat, but do not have yeast, so they are quick and easy to make. They are perfect to dip in a soup or stew or are delicious with butter and honey or jam. Recipe makes 16 muffins, but I got 21.* Recipe originally from The Williams-Sonoma Cookbook, adapted by Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
4 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
6 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs, separated
6 tablespoons butter, melted, or olive oil
2 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt
3 tablespoons sesame seeds for sprinkling

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Grease 16* standard muffin cups; fill the unused cups one-third full with water to prevent warping during baking.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl or a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the egg yolks, butter, buttermilk, and sour cream until blended. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture just until evenly moistened. Don’t overmix! The batter will be slightly lumpy.

In a clean bowl, using a mixer with spotlessly clean beaters on medium speed, beat the egg whites just until they form soft peaks. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the batter until blended, again, taking care not to overmix because that will result in tough, dry muffins.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each cup nearly level with the rim of the cup. Sprinkle the muffins with the sesame seeds. Bake the muffins until they are golden, dry and springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the muffins cool for 5 minutes. Unmold the muffins and serve warm or at room temperature with butter and/or jam, if desired.

French Beef Stew

Rejoice! It's almost Fall and with cooler weather, I want to make soup and homemade breads. This hearty stew has a little kick to it that we really liked. Pictured with Whole Wheat Dinner Muffins.  Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

1 1/2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained 1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 carrots, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1-2 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Combine meat and flour in a large plastic food storage bag and toss to coat evenly. In a 6 quart saucepan brown meat in hot vegetable oil. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, carrots, potatoes and thyme. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover; and simmer for 60-90 minutes, or until beef is tender. Blend in mustard and serve. Serves 8.

Lemon Poppy Seed Sugar Cookies

I LOVE anything with lemon and poppy seeds, so this recipe was an immediate "keeper" when I made these this week. My kids loved getting these in their lunches and they stayed soft for days. I doubled the recipe and it made 4 dozen cookies.* Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup buttermilk**
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
zest of one lemon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and poppy seeds. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla and lemon zest and mix well. Add the dry ingredients and buttermilk. Mix well.

Drop the dough by small tablespoonfuls onto a greased or lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set. The cookies should be puffy and fairly light in color when they are finished baking. Remove from the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes on the baking sheet. Move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. *Makes about 2 to 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

**Okay, if you're like me, you don't usually have 1/4 cup of buttermilk in your fridge. Try substituting 1/4 cup milk with 1/2 tsp. lemon juice added. It thickens up just like buttermilk and adds a little extra lemon flavor:)

Monkey Bread

A delicious and beautiful variation on your typical dinner rolls, Monkey Bread can function as a side and a centerpiece!  Recipe from our mother, Nancy!

1/2 cup water

2 teaspoons yeast

2 teaspoons sugar

Combine and let stand for 5 minutes.

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 1/2 cups flour

Combine in a large bowl, then beat for 5 minutes.  Add yeast mixture, then add 3 more cups of flour.  Let rise and punch down twice.  

Melt 1/3 cup butter in bundt pan.  Roll out dough and cut into circles.  Dip each circle in the melted butter, then stack them on their sides around entire pan.  Let the dough rise to top of the pan, then bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes.  Invert onto serving plate and serve immediately.  We love this with homemade jam!  

Waffle Brownies

This creative take on brownies is one of the Fredrick family staples.  Deborah is un-officially assigned to make these fast-disappearing favorites for every family function!  Recipe from Barbara Fredrick.

Melt 1/2 cup (1 cube) margarine.

Add 7 tablespoons cocoa.

Add 4 beaten eggs.

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Combine:  1 1/2 cups sugar

                  2 cups flour

                  1/2 tsp salt

                  

Add to chocolate mixture.  Drop by spoonfuls on hot waffle iron, cooking four at a time, for approximately 1 minute.

Let cool, then frost with buttercream frosting.  

**Optional:  Add 1 tsp of peppermint flavoring to the frosting for a minty-fresh treat!

Melt-Aways

Truly, they melt in your mouth!  (May have something to do with the full POUND of butter in the recipe!)  I was reminded just how sinfully-good these little lovelies are when I made them for a neighborhood Walk-n-Talk last night.  Recipe from my dear friend Ali Fillmore Black, originally her mother Pam Fillmore's creation!

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 pound butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups corn starch

2 cups flour

Mix together with a wooden spoon.  Roll into small balls (they are rich!) and place on un-greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.  Makes 6-7 dozen cookies.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese (can use light)

2 2/3 cup powdered sugar

3 tsp vanilla

Cream together and swirl onto cooled cookies.  Indulge and enjoy!

Wookiee Cookies

My son had a fever yesterday, so my husband stayed home from church with him. When we walked in the door after church, I was greeted by the smell of hot cookies! My husband and son made these delicious cookies with a very funny name... "Wookiee" cookies. Apparently, they found the recipe online from the "The Star Wars Cookbook: Wookiee Cookies and Other Galactic Recipes." I'm serious... I can't make this stuff up! Anyway, they are delicious. Cinnamon and both semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips help make this cookie unique...

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 

1. Preheat the oven to 375º
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
3. Put the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in another mixing bowl. Blend until creamy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.

4. Drop cookie dough 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

"Cowboy" Custard

I made this tonight and thought of my sweet Nana. This is her recipe and my Mom made it for us when we were little. It's a baked custard and I like it hot or cold. My Mom always sprinkled it with nutmeg, but I suppose you could use cinnamon instead. Serves 5-6.

3 slightly beaten eggs

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cups scalded milk, cooled

1 tsp. lemon extract

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Nutmeg or cinnamon

1. Scald milk and let cool. (I put mine in the microwave for about 2 minutes.) 
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Fill a 9 x 13" pan with about an inch and a half of water and set it in the oven.
3. Combine eggs, sugar and salt. Slowly stir in cooled milk and lemon and vanilla extracts. 
4. Pour into a casserole dish and set in a pan of hot water. Sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon, if desired. Bake in a "slow oven" (325 degrees F.) for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Best if cooled for 10-15 minutes before serving. 

Patriotic Bundt Cake

I saw this crafty red-white-and-blue bundt cake idea on Pinterest this past summer, and had to give it a try!  Really quite simple and it was an absolute hit at our 4th of July BBQ.  Our fun-filled summer left very little time for blogging, so I thought the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the WTC and Pentagon would be a fitting time to remember the stars and stripes!  

**Begin with any white cake recipe, prepared as directed, separated into three bowls.  Add red and blue food coloring as desired to two of the bowls, leaving the remaining batter white.  Grease and flour your bundt pan well, then add alternating globs of each different colored batter.  Do not swirl or mix, as this will make your cake pink, dark pink and purple instead of red, white and blue!  Bake as directed.

Repeat the same food-coloring process with three bowls of your favorite buttercream frosting, but add a teaspoon of milk to each to thin the frosting to drizzle-consistency.  Use the grooves of your bundt cake to alternate each color and cover entire cake with patriotic yumminess.  God bless the USA! 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Cream together:
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar

Add:
1 egg
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp vanilla

Roll balls into sugar and press with fork.
Bake at 375 for 10 min.

Gardener's Pie

We've had a few cold and rainy days and it's made me hungry for some warm comfort food. I found this amazing recipe at Ezra Pound Cake that smelled delicious and tasted even better! I wish the pictures did it justice... It is SO good!

MASHED POTATOES:

1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (or Russet), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/4 cup half-and-half

4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) butter

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 large egg yolk

FILLING:

2 Tbs. canola oil

1 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

2 Tbs. tomato paste*

1 cup vegetable broth*

2 Tbs. fresh rosemary, chopped*

1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped*

1 (14 oz.) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

1/2 cup fresh or frozen shelled green peas

1. For the Mashed Potatoes: Place the diced potatoes in a medium saucepan, and cover with salted cold water. Cover, and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes and return them, off the heat, to the saucepan. Warm the half-and-half and butter in the microwave for 35 seconds. Mash the potatoes. Add the half-and-half and butter mixture, salt, and pepper, and continue to mash until smooth. Stir in the egg yolk. Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray an 11-by-7-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
3. For the Filling: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and carrots. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, salt and pepper. Stir in the flour, and keep cooking for another minute. Stir in the tomato paste, vegetable broth, rosemary and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the kidney beans, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the corn and peas. Spread the vegetable mixture evenly in prepared casserole dish.
4. Top with mashed potatoes, starting around the edges to create a seal to prevent the mixture from bubbling up, and smooth with a rubber spatula.
5. Put the baking dish on a baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, or just until the potatoes begin to brown. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

* Original recipe called for only 2 teaspoons tomato paste and I increase it to 2 Tablespoons. I used chicken broth in place of the vegetable broth. You can substitute 1 Tbs. dried rosemary and 1/2 tsp. dried thyme for the fresh herbs, if needed.

Crispy Tilapia in Tomato-Cream Sauce

I found this recipe over at eatingwelllivingthin, which is a fabulous website, by the way! In my quest to feed my family more seafood, I was happy to find another recipe they all raved about...

1 1/3 cups spaghetti sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons half & half
Four 4-5 ounce Tilapia fillets
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups Panko crumbs
1 teaspoon salt-free Italian Seasoning (I used regular Italian seasoning)
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a medium sauce pan, over medium-low heat, bring the sauce and garlic to a simmer. Use a lid to prevent splattering. Stirring occasionally, allow to cook until reduced by half. The sauce will become dark red and thick. Stir in the cream and heat through. Keep warm.

Rinse and dry the tilapia fillets and set aside.

In three pie plates or shallow dishes, place the flour, salt and pepper in one, the beaten egg in another, and the crumbs mixed with the seasoning in the third. Coat each fillet with the flour mixture, dip in egg until covered, and then press on the crumbs.

Heat a frying pan on medium to medium-high heat until very hot. Add a little olive oil and fry the fish for 3-4 minutes on each side until crispy-golden and fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove to a platter and spoon the sauce over. Garnish with Parmesan. *I served mine over hot Orzo pasta. Makes 4 servings.

Per Serving: Calories 300; Protein 25 g; Fat 4 g; 20 g; Fiber 3 g; Sugar 2 g; Sodium 664 mg

Slow-Cooker Root Beer BBQ Beef Sandwiches

This is an easy and flavorful way to cook barbecue beef sandwiches with a fun secret ingredient (Root Beer!) It is best cooked on low, so plan on throwing this in the slow-cooker right after breakfast and your house will smell amazing by dinner! This recipe makes enough for more than 2 dinners for my family of 5, so I freeze half for later. Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker...

1 boneless beef rump roast (about 4 pounds)
2 cups barbecue sauce, divided
1 cup root beer
dash of salt and pepper
16 hamburger buns

Place beef in a 3 1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker. Line first with a Reynold's Slow Cooker liner for easy clean up. Mix 1 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce and the root beer in a small mixing bowl and pour over beef. Cover. Cook on low for 10-12 hours. (Can cook on high for 5-6 hours)

About 20 minutes before serving, remove beef from slow-cooker; place in a large bowl. Pour juices into a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until juices are thickened and reduced to about 3 cups. Meanwhile, shred beef with 2 forks; return to slow cooker.

Stir remaining 1/2 cup barbecue sauce into reduced juices in saucepan; pour over shredded beef in slow cooker. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Spoon about 1/2 cup shredded beef into each bun.

Tomato Oregano Sandwiches

I am happy to say that my little vegetable garden has really taken off this year! Now I have the fortunate dilemma of having TOO many tomatoes. We are eating them 4 times a day around my house and I am sure that we are all overdosing on lycopene! I have been dicing them in omelets, topping casseroles with them, cooking them up in quesadillas, and slicing them up for a snack with a little salt and balsamic vinegar... so good! This simple summer sandwich recipe is my Mom's invention and is our lunch-of-choice as long as there are fresh tomatoes to be had.

Bread

Tomatoes- washed and thickly sliced

Salt and Pepper

Oregano

Sliced Cheese (we prefer Muenster- Trust me and try it...DIVINE!)

Lay out slices of bread on a baking sheet and top with freshly sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano to taste. Top with sliced cheese and place under your broiler for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and enjoy!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

If you are anything like my kids, you just read the title to this recipe and thought "Ewww, gross!" But the reality is that this cake is yummy good and you will never know that the zucchini is in there. It just makes the cake super moist, like with Banana Bread or Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies. Either way, it is a great way to use up some of that zucchini that I have coming out of my ears every August. Hope you enjoy!

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter- softened

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

4 Tbs. Cocoa powder

2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugars. Add oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and mix well. (Remember, if you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can just mix 1/2 tsp. lemon juice into 1/2 cup regular milk and let it sit for a few minutes before adding it to your recipe!) In another bowl, combine dry ingredients and then add slowly to your liquid mixture. Stir just until combined. Fold in your grated zucchini and then pour the batter into a greased 9x13 inch cake pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the batter. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

***Grating zucchini is pretty messy, so I like to wait until I have 3-4 big ones and grate them all at once. Then just scoop 2 cup- sized portions into little Ziplock freezer bags. Pop them in the freezer and you can have fresh zucchini for recipes all year! Think how good this cake would taste in December or how nice it would be to bake a loaf of hot Zucchini Bread in the winter. Yum!

***I was getting ready to post this, and I linked the recipe under desserts and vegetables. It made me smile :)

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

I am having my second baby in 5 days (so excited) and have been getting over a nasty cold so this week I have been in need of some good old fashioned comfort food. This noodle bake is just that. 

recipe from the Pioneer Woman

Ingredients: 

1-1 1/4 lb ground beef

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

1/2 tsp. salt

pepper to taste

8-10 oz. egg noodles 

1/2 c. sour cream 

1 1/4 c. small curd cottage cheese

1/2 c. green onions, diced

1 c. grated cheddar cheese 

Directions:

In large skillet brown beef and drain fat. Add tomato sauce, salt & pepper. Stir and let simmer while you prepare the other ingredients. 

Cook noodles til al dente. Drain and set aside

In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese. Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Add to noodles and stir. Add green onions and stir.

To assemble, add half of the noodles to a baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the grated cheddar. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until all cheese is melted.

Boston Cream Cupcakes

I made these for my daughter's birthday this week and we all loved them! Next time, I'm going to make them with Devil's Food cake and white chocolate pudding filling and frosting, for color contrast. It's nice to have a little surprise in the center!

Chocolate ganache:

4 (1 oz.) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup cream

1 Tbs. butter 

24 cupcakes: 

1 box vanilla or white cake mix: Follow box instructions

Filling:

2 1/2 cups milk

1 large (5.1 oz) box French vanilla or vanilla pudding (I use sugar-free)

1. Make the chocolate ganache first, since it needs time to set up. Combine chocolate, cream and butter in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring often, until melted. Stir well. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Ganache will thicken as it cools.
2. Make the cupcakes according to package directions and cool completely.
3. Combine the milk and pudding mix in a small bowl and beat for 3-4 minutes, or until thick. Let sit for a few minutes. Spoon pudding into a pastry bag fitted with a large open tip. Stick the frosting tip into the center of each cupcake and squeeze until the cupcake feels "full." (pictured below)
4. Frost cupcakes with cooled chocolate ganache. Refrigerate until serving. Makes 24 cupcakes.

"Hole in Ones"

 These are also known as an "Egg in a Basket" or "Bird in a Nest." My husband grew up eating these and they are a favorite last-minute meal at our house, since I usually have eggs and bread in my fridge...

Bread

eggs

Cut out a small circle of each piece of bread using a biscuit cutter, a small glass or a knife.* Heat a skillet or griddle and spray with cooking spray. It is really yummy if you butter both sides of the bread, but I find that it's fine without. Place the cut bread on the hot pan, then crack an egg in the hole of each slice. Flip over when the egg begins to set and cook the other side.

*I fry the bread circles I cut out as well and my kids love them.

Broccoli-Quinoa Casserole

I found this delicious recipe over at eatingwelllivingthin. I love that it's healthy AND delicious! I serve this as a main dish, but it would make a great side dish as well. I've been using quinoa (pronounced "keen-wah") for a few years and I've used it in soups and as a simple side dish. I buy a bag at Costco every few months and it makes a lot. My kids LOVE this casserole...

1 (10 oz. can) condensed Cream of Broccoli soup (or Cream of Mushroom or Broccoli Cheese)
1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
2 Tbs. milk
1 1/4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, colby-jack, etc.)
1 teaspoon Splenda
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dash freshly grated nutmeg

2 cups cooked broccoli, coarsely diced
1 1/2 cups COOKED quinoa (see below*)
Grated Parmesan cheese

*To cook quinoa:
3/4 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt

Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve until water runs clear. In a small saucepan combine the quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until fluffy and the white ring/tail is visible. Fluff with a fork.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a shallow (8×8 in or 5-6 cups) casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine the soup, mayonnaise, milk, shredded cheese, Splenda, pepper, and nutmeg until well mixed. Stir in the quinoa and broccoli. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole. Sprinkle on a couple tablespoons of Parmesan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly on the edges and golden. Makes 8 generous 1/2-cup servings.

Per Serving: Calories 199, Protein 10 g; Fat 9 g; NET Carbs 14 g; Fiber 2 g; Sugar 1 g; Sodium 297 mg

Red Velvet Oreo Cookies

We love homemade oreos in our family. Since we love the original chocolate ones so much I thought why not try them with red velvet too. These may be my new favorite cookies. 

Cookies:
2 boxes red velvet cake mix
2/3 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs

Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs. Scoop into balls and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes (depending on size of cookies). I do mine 1 inch and bake for about 7 minutes, don't over bake. Let cool completely before frosting  

Cream cheese filling:
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cube butter, softened 
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. powdered sugar
+ milk to consistency

Cream together butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Add powdered sugar and milk until frosting reaches desired thickness. It helps to put them in the fridge or freezer after frosting to help the frosting set. 

White Cupcakes with Vanilla Almond Frosting

I made these for a baby shower this week and had several requests for the recipe so here it is. They are yummy for sure! 

White Cupcakes

1 box white cake mix

1 c. flour

1 c. sugar

3/4 tsp. salt

4 egg whites
1 1/3 c. water
2 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 c. sour cream (I use light)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. almond extract

whisk together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and beat until smooth. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and cook according to box directions. Watch carefully towards the end so they don't get too brown.

Makes 30-34 cupcakes
cake recipe from our best bites

Vanilla Almond Frosting

1 c. unsalted butter, softened 

3-4 c. powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. pure almond extract 

1/4 c. milk

*If you like stronger almond flavor use 1 tsp. each of vanilla and almond extracts

Cream butter with mixer. Beat in milk, extracts and 3 cups powdered sugar. Add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.

Andrea's Gooey Caramel Popcorn

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 large bowl popcorn- with the un-popped kernels removed

In a medium saucepan combine butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar. Cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil. If you have a candy thermometer, heat caramel to softball stage. Otherwise, just allow the caramel to boil for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat.

This popcorn is best warm, but saves well and is a favorite treat for family night, parties, and for our family trip to the beach every year!

BLT Coleslaw

I used to make a dish similar to this one when I was first married, but have long since lost the recipe. Last week I recreated it to the best of my recollection and we loved it! This is a perfect side dish for barbecues and Summer meals!

1 (16 oz.) bag coleslaw mix

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (or diced tomatoes)

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 

DRESSING:

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Tbs. white vinegar

1 Tbs. oil (vegetable, canola or olive)
2 Tbs. light mayonnaise

1/4-1/2  tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Black pepper, to taste

Place coleslaw mix in a large serving bowl. Add bacon and tomatoes and stir well. Mix dressing ingredients together in a small bowl and pour over coleslaw. Mix well. Refrigerate until serving. Serves 6.

Fruit Tart Dessert ("Fruit Pizza")

This is another 4th of July-inspired dessert that my daughter loves to make. Fruit tart has always been one of her favorite desserts and I admit, I am partial to it as well. We use homemade sugar cookie dough (try this one or this one or this one), but you could very easily save time with the store-bought refrigerated sugar cookie dough. We made this version red, white and blue, but you can use many different kinds of sliced fruit. It just tastes like Summer to me! Recipe adapted from Kraft.

2 cups sugar cookie dough (homemade, or use a 20 oz. roll of refrigerated dough)

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding mix (I use sugar-free)

1 1/4 cups cold milk

1 cup thawed whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)

2 cups sliced mixed fresh fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, kiwi, mandarin oranges...)

Miniature marshmallows (optional)

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Line a 12" pizza pan with foil; spray with cooking spray. Roll out cookie dough to form a crust. Flute the edges, if desired. Bake 14-16 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool completely. Carefully remove cookie from pan and foil; place on a serving plate.
2. Beat pudding mix and milk in a large bowl for 2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in whipped topping; spread onto cooled crust.
3. Top with sliced fruit. Refrigerate up to 4 hours before serving.

NOTES: If pizza pan is not available, trace a 12-inch circle on parchment paper or foil and place on rectangular. Place cookie dough onto circle pattern. Bake as directed.

Best if eaten the same day you make it. Serves 16.

Broken Glass Jello

My daughter and I made a few red, white and blue food items to celebrate the 4th of July last week. I came across this recipe from www.recipeboy.com You could use any colors of Jello to suit your taste and purpose. While Jello is not my favorite, my kids just loved these!

1 (6 oz.) box red Jell-o gelatin (I used sugar-free Raspberry)

1 (6 oz.) box blue Jell-o gelatin (I used Berry Blue)

4 cups boiling water

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (Such as Knox)

1/2 cup cold water

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk (I used Fat-Free) 

1. In 2 separate (9 x 13") rectangular pans, sprinkle each box of Jell-o. Add 2 cups of boiling water to each pan. Stir until the gelatin dissolves. Put in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or until firm. 
2. Spray a clean 9 x 13" pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cut each flavor of Jell-o into small blocks. Carefully mix the blocks of Jell-o in the prepared pan.
3. In a different bowl, sprinkle 2 pouches of unflavored gelatin into 1/2 cup cold water and stir to combine. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water and mix until the gelatin dissolves. Add the can of sweetened condensed milk. Stir and cool.
4. Pour the milk mixture over the Jell-o blocks and stick it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours (or overnight). 
5. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve. Makes about 28 servings.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake

I made this cake for my husband for his Birthday and can I just say it is divine!!! It's a little more work than your average chocolate cake but it's definitely worth the extra effort.

*from Cooks Illustrated Best Recipes Issue 

12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, very soft, plus extra for greasing pans

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting pans

4 oz unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup dutch-processed cocoa powder

1/2 cup hot water

1 3/4 C sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon table salt

1 cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 large eggs, plus 2 large egg yolks

Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat to 350 degrees.  Grease two 9-inch round by 2 inch high cake pans with butter; dust pans with flour and knock out excess.  Combine chocolate, cocoa powder, and hot water in medium heatproof bowl; set bowl over saucepan containing 1 inch of simmering water and stir with rubber spatula until chocolate ins melted, about 2 minutes.  Add 1/2 cup sugar to chocolate and stir until glossy, 1-2 minutes.  Remove bowl from heat and set aside to cool.

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl.  Combine buttermilk and vanilla in small bowl.  In bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whisk eggs and yolks on medium-low speed until combined, about 10 seconds.  Add remaining 1 1/4 C sugar, increase speed to high, and whisk until fluffy and lightened in color, 2-3 minutes.  Replace whisk with paddle attachment.  Add cooled chocolate mixture to egg/sugar mixture and mix on medium speed until thoroughly incorporated, 30-45 seconds, pausing to scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula as needed.  Add softened butter 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing about 10 seconds after each addition.  Add about 1/3 of flour mixture; followed by half of buttermilk mixture mixing until incorporated after each addition (about 15 seconds.)   Repeat using half of remaining flour mixture and all of remaining buttermilk mixture (batter may appear separated.) Scrape down sides of bowl and add remaining flour mixture; mix at medium low speed until batter is thoroughly combined, about 15 seconds.  Remove bowl from mixer and fold batter once or twice with rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour.  Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans; smooth batter to edges of pan with spatula.

Bake cakes until toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 25-30minutes.  Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes, then invert onto wire rack.  Cool cakes to room temperature before frosting, 45-60 minutes.

Frosting... 

Note: Don’t make the frosting until the cakes are cooled, and use the frosting as soon as it is ready.  If the frosting gets too stiff to spread easily, wrap the mixer bowl with a towel soaked in hot water and mix on low speed until the frosting is creamy and smooth.  Refrigerated leftover cake should sit at room temperature before serving until the frosting softens.

16 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (chocolate chips work)

8 Tbs (1 stick) unsalted butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs corn syrup

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp table salt

1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream

Melt Chocolate in heatproof bowl set over a saucepan containing 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.  Remove from heat and set aside.  Meanwhile, heat butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted.  Increase heat to medium; add sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt and stir with heatproof rubber spatula until sugar is dissolved, 4-5 minutes.  Add melted chocolate, butter mixture, and cream to clean bowl of stand mixer and stir to thoroughly combine.

Place mixer bowl over ice bath and stir mixture constantly with rubber spatula until frosting is thick and just beginning to harden against sides of bowl, 1-2 minutes (frosting should be 70 degrees).  Place bowl on stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until frosting is light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.  Stir with rubber spatula until completely smooth.  *If you find after beating, your frosting is still too soft for your liking, try chilling in the fridge until it sets up a little more.

German-Style Hamburgers

I went to look up this recipe yesterday here on this blog and was shocked to find that I'd never posted it. This is a recipe that I've made for nearly 10 years and my kids always request it for the 4th of July. It's a simple recipe, but distinctive enough to be special. Recipe from Taste of Home magazine. 

Happy 4th of July!!!

1/2 cup shredded hash brown potatoes (thawed, if frozen)*

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. salt

1 pound ground beef

In a bowl, combine potatoes, onion, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. (I use my stand mixer with the paddle attachment for less mess:) Shape into 4 patties, about 1/2 inch thick. In a skillet (or on a sheet of tin foil on the grill), cook patties over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, or until no longer pink, turning once. Serve on buns with your choice of condiments: Lettuce, tomato, sliced pickles, avocado, ketchup, or my favorite, honey mustard.

Serves 4.

*If you have extra hash browns to use, try this Zucchini Potato Pie.

Sand Art Brownies

 My oldest daughter made this brownie jar for Father's Day in her church Activity Days recently. We thought the gift of the beautiful jar was a cute idea, but then we made and tasted the brownies and... YUM! Recipe from Monica Torpy.

Layer in a large mason jar:

1. 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2. 3/4 tsp. salt
3. 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
5. 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
6. 2/3 cup white sugar
7. 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
8. 1/2 cup white (vanilla) baking chips

Directions to make brownies:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175° C). Grease a 9 x 9" square baking dish. Pour the contents of the jar into a large bowl and mix well. Stir in:

1. 1 tsp. vanilla
2. 2/3 cup vegetable oil
3. 3 eggs

Mix until just combined, then pour into prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until center is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Serves 12.

Corn Pop Scrabble

2 cubes butter

1 cup sugar

2 1/2 Tbs. water

1 cup nuts (Your choice either mixed nuts or all one kind) (I like Raw Almonds)

Combine in a sauce pan and cook together until the mixture starts to turn light brown.

Pour over:

1 Super size pkg. Western Family Corn Pop

Stir well.

Serve.

Makes enough for a large crowd.