Friday, January 15, 2010

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup- My Version =)

What warms the body better than yummy Chicken Noodle Soup? We have had the crud around our house this week. So I made this homemade goodness for us to munch on. I served it with buttermilk biscuits(Mary B's frozen kind). Of course crackers are always a must as well. Hope this helps warm you up. Enjoy!=)

64oz.chicken broth- I used the organic brand from Costco
2t. chicken bouillon or 2 cubes
2c. frozen mixed veggies-I used the organic blend from Costco(Do you see a theme?)=)
1 box whole wheat penne pasta
1 lbs chicken cooked and chopped into bite-size pieces
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 12oz can evaporated milk

Boil the broth, 1 t.or 1 cube bouillon and veggies for 10 minutes. In the mean time cook the noodles with 1t. or one cube of bouillon. Add noodles to the broth and veggies and boil for another 10 minutes. Then add chicken, cream of chicken soup and evap milk. Heat thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Egg Nog Bundt Cake with Caramel Icing

This is a really easy and festive cake to serve around the holidays. Again found this on a blog I like to look at and changed it just a tad. Here it is...

For the Bundt Cake:

1 yellow cake mix
3 T. flour
2 c. eggnog
1/4 c. butter, softened
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Beat until smooth and creamy. Pour into greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes. Let cool and top with Caramel Icing (recipe follows)

This icing is my Mom's recipe and it is my most favorite icing ever! I actually think since you are just drizzling this over the bundt cake that you only need half the recipe, but I am listing the ingredients for a full recipe below.

Caramel Icing:
1c. dark brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/3 c. milk
2 2/3c. powdered sugar

Melt butter and brown sugar, let it come to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Add milk and let boil for 1 more minute. Take of stove and let cool. Add powdered sugar.

Hope you enjoy this yummy cake for the holidays!=)

Crock Pot Southwestern Salsa Chicken

I found this recipe on a blog I look at a lot. I changed it a little but it was super easy and super yummy and fairly healthy also! Give it a try!

Ingredients:
1 bag frozen corn
2-4 frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1 jar medium salsa

Put them in the crock pot in that order. Cook on high for 3 and a half to 4 hours. When it's done cooking, take the chicken out and shred it with a fork. Then add all the yummy corn/black bean/ salsa goodness that is left in the crock pot with the chicken in a big serving bowl and mix it all together. We served this with yummy multigrain tortilla chips and spanish rice. Serve it with any other sides you like such as avocado, jalapenos, shredded cheese, queso, sour cream etc. Hope you enjoy!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Easy Cheesy Rotini

1 lb. box Rotini pasta
1 1/2 c. sour cream
2c. shredded cheese
Salt to taste

Cook noodles according to directions on package and drain. Mix together cheese and sour cream. Mix in with noodles. Add salt to your liking. I like to top it with a little extra cheese. We like cheese in our family!=) Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Enjoy!=)

Red Velvet Cake Balls

So for this it's super easy. Just a little time consuming and messy. Here's what you need...

1 box red velvet cake mix
1 can cream cheese icing
1lb. melting white chocolate

Bake cake according to the directions on the back of the box. Let cool. Crumble in a bowl and add the can of icing. Mix really well. Roll into balls and put on a cookie sheet. I use a cookie scooper so it's less messy. Put in freezer for about an hour. Melt white chocolate. Dip cake balls in chocolate and back on cookie sheet. When finished put them back in the fridge to harden up. Super yummy!=)

Easy Toffee

Okay so just humor me about the Cheez-It's in this recipe. If it sounds to gross for you then you can substitute saltines.

1 1/2 cup unsalted butter (3 sticks)
1 1/2 cup, packed light brown sugar
2 bags of 11.05 ounces of milk chocolate chips
½ box of the Big-size Cheez-It’s (use the big ones, as they cover more room)
1 cup of pecan pieces

Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Line jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
Lay a flat layer of Cheez-It crackers out on the foil. I did a layer and a half, making sure to cover up any gaps with Cheez-It’s.
In a saucepan, melt the sugar and butter until a boil is reached. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until mixture is thickened and sugar is completely dissolved. Pour this mixture over the crackers and spread to coat evenly. Do not mix! Just pour, and fill in any gaps with a spatula.
Bake in pre-heated oven for 5-8 minutes, or until the toffee becomes bubbly. Turn off oven, then take out of oven and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Put tray back in oven to help the chips melt a bit. When chips are melted a bit, spread them into an even layer like you would frosting a cake. After done spreading the chocolate this is the time to sprinkle on the chopped nuts or whatever else you want to add.
Let cool and/or refrigerate until hardened. Once firmly cooled then break into pieces.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Texas Sheet Cake

We have a lot of family in town, so we end up at serveral different houses on Thanksgiving. Therefore, I don't end up cooking a big feast at my house, but usually make a side dish or dessert to take where we go. This year I made a Texas Sheet Cake to take for dessert at my parents house. It was yummy! Here's the recipe...


* 1 cup butter
* 1 cup water
* 1/4 cup cocoa
* 2 cups sugar
* 2 cups flour
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* Frosting, below
* chopped pecans

Frosting

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/4 cup cocoa
* 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
* 1 box (1 pound) confectioners' sugar, sifted (4 1/4 cups sifted)
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cake: Combine butter, water, and cocoa in saucepan over medium heat; heat until butter melts. Add sugar, flour, salt, eggs, soda, sour cream, and vanilla; mix well. Pour into a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Spread frosting over hot cake and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

For frosting, combine butter, cocoa, and milk in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and mix well with electric mixer. Spread over the hot sheet cake then sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Lovey's Mac-n-Cheese

Looking for an easy and super yummy mac-n-cheese. Well, here's the recipe for you. My mom has made this for years and it is a HUGE hit every time she makes it. It has pretty much become a staple for family functions. So here it is...

1 16 oz. box elbow macaroni cooked and drained
2 cans cream of mushroom
1c. mayonnaise
16oz. shredded cheddar

You can also add onions, pimentos and/or mushrooms for a more "grown up" version. But, we like it plain. I also like to add some shredded cheese to the top. In my book you can't have too much cheese.=)

Mix all ingredients. Poor in a 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Voila! You are going to love it!=)

Lemon Bunt Cake

Here's a yummy treat if you're looking for something easy to make for company of just for you and your family.

1 box yellow cake mix
1 3.4oz lemon instant pudding
1/2c. sugar
3/4c. water
3/4c. oil
4 eggs
1c. sour cream

Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients one at a time. Poor into a greased bunt pan.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Let cool for a few minutes. ENJOY!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Crock Pot Chicken

So...I have been intimidated for a long time to attempt cooking a WHOLE chicken. But, last week in talking with my Cousin, I discovered you can cook a whole chicken in the crock pot and it's super easy! So, today I attempted it and it turned out very well. Here's a super easy way to cook a chicken that everyone should try.

1 whole chicken (take out the insides)
your favorite dry rub ( I used Emeril's dry rub for chicken)
I also added some chopped, dried onion

Cover the chicken with dry rub, place in crock pot. Sprinkle dried onions on top. Cook on low for 8 hours.

And that's all there is to it. It was falling off the bone. I served it with some brown rice, green beans, fruit and rolls. Yummy!=)

Friday, November 06, 2009

Corn and Sausage Chowder

My sister in law Katie introduced me to this recipe. I couldn't find her exact recipe, but this is very similar to her recipe if not the same. It is a very hearty soup. We have been eating off of it all week. It is also a good soup to double the recipe with and share with company. Enjoy it as the cooler weather is rolling in!=)

1 lb. bulk pork sausage
1 c. onions, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram, crushed
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 c. water
2 (15 oz.) cans diced potatoes drained
1 (17 oz.) can cream style corn
1 (17 oz.) can whole kernel corn drained
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

Brown sausage with onions, salt, pepper and marjoram. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil for about 15 minutes. Enjoy!=)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Layered Mexican Salad

This recipe goes very well with any Mexican dish you are serving. I first had this when I went on a scrap booking retreat back in the Spring with my cousin. I have since kind of just made up my own recipe and it changes each time I make it depending upon what I have in the pantry. So here's how I generally make it...

Salad:
1-2 bags Shredded lettuce
1 can Nibblet corn drained
1 can Ranch beans drained
1 or 2 Diced red pepper
1 can Diced olives drained
1c. Diced green onion
2 Avocados sliced
1 c. Shredded cheese
2 cups Fritos

Layer all ingredients in a bowl. The Fritos on top really make it so yummy! Then top it with the dressing below to give it the finishing touch.

Dressing:
Equal parts ranch dressing and salsa
I like to use the Naturally Fresh Lite Ranch and any salsa works fine.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

My good friend Julie made these yummy enchiladas for us a couple of weeks ago when we went to their house for dinner. I made them on Tuesday night and we enjoyed them yesterday as well. Here's the yummy recipe:

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
from Brittany at The Sisters' Cafe

6 tablespoons honey
5 tablespoons lime juice (1 large lime)
1 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded (I used 3 small chicken breasts)
8-10 flour tortillas
1 pound monterey jack cheese, shredded
16 ounces green enchilada sauce
1 cup heavy cream (to lighten them up, I have substituted sour cream with good results)

Mix the first four ingredients and toss with shredded chicken. Let it marinate for at least 1/2 hour (I tossed mine together in a ziploc bag in the morning and let it sit in the refrigerator all day). Pour about 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan. Fill flour tortillas with chicken and shredded cheese, saving about 1 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with the cream and leftover marinade. Pour sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until brown and crispy on top.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

What We've Been Munching On This Weekend...

Nuts and Bolts (my version) =)

8c. cheerios
8c.cheese its
8c. pretzels
2c. cashews
2c. pecans
4 sticks of butter
2T. worcestershire
2t. salt
2t. garlic salt

Mix together cheerios, cheese its, pretzels and nuts. Melt butter, worcestershire, salt and garlic salt together. Pour over other mixture. Cook in a big roasting pan @ 250 for 2 hours. Stir every 15 minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container for a couple weeks(if you can make it last that long!!!) Enjoy =)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Here's What We Had For Dinner....

Trying to figure out what to make this weekend? Here's a yummy fall meal.

The Best Chili Ever!(this is a sweet chili not spicy)

1lb. ground beef browned and drained
1/2c. brown sugar
2T. mustard
1(14oz.)cans red kidney beans, drained
4c. tomato juice
1/2t. salt
1/4t. pepper
1T chili powder

Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours.

This recipe is yummy along with the chili...

Corn Casserole

1(16oz.)can of cream style corn
1(16oz.)can whole kernel corn drained
1c. sour cream
1 Box Jiffy corn bread mix
1 stick of butter melted

Combine all ingredients and pour into a greased 9x13 dish. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes or until center is firm.

Looking For a Yummy Treat??? Try these...

Candied Pecans

1/2c. granulated sugar
2t. cinnamon
1/2t. salt
1 egg white
4c. pecans

Combine sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Beat the egg white in separate bowl until foamy. Add pecans to egg white until well coated. Add sugar mixture and toss until well coated. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes. Turning them over after the first 10 minutes. Turn over again once they are done baking. Let cool then enjoy. Makes a great gift also!=)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Today's Experiment...

Broccoli cheese soup in the crock pot. I tried it for the first time today and needless to say am going to play with it a little before I post the recipe. But, rest assured I will tweak it until I get it right and then I will share it with you!=)
But, no fears, I did cook something yummy today! What? You ask... Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle and the recipe follows:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle

2 sticks of butter melted
1 c. sugar
1 1/2t. vanilla extract
1t. salt
2c. all-purpose flour
1c. plain m&m's
1c. semisweet choc. chips

Beat butter, sugar, vanilla and salt in a mixing bowl. Gradually add flour. Stir in m&m's and chocolate chips. Press onto a pizza pan or cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and set. Cool in pan. Break into pieces like peanut brittle and enjoy!=)

Monday, October 19, 2009

Tater Tot Casserole

1 lb. ground beef browned and drained
1 bag of frozen tater tots
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of chicken
1 can evaporated milk
1-2 c. of shredded cheese

Poor the ground beef on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Poor frozen tater tots on top. Mix the soups and milk together and poor on top of the tater tots. Cook at 350 for 50 minutes. Pull it out and put the cheese on top and bake for another 10 minutes.

Double Choclate Banana Bread

This is my no fail banana bread recipe that I added some cocoa and chocolate chips to to spice it up a little.

Banana Bread:
2 eggs
1 stick of butter softened
1 T. vanilla extract
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. flour
1t. baking soda
1/2t. salt
3 ripe bananas mashed

To Make it Double Chocolate Banana Bread add:

1/2c. unsweetened baking cocoa
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients. Grease a loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

A blog Makeover

So, it has been suggested by several people that I start a blog with my recipes on it. So I am going to use my old blog to do just that and if you're lucky you may get a few family photos once in a while.=)