extreme dinner makeover

Chocolate Coconut Truffles

2011-01-20T15:00:00.002-07:00

These are sugar-free (sweetened with agave), and super darn good. They take care of a chocolate fix without leaving you feeling guilty or sick after!

· 1/2 cup coconut butter/oil, warmed to soften

· 3/4 cup agave nectar

· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

· 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

· 1 cup dried shredded coconut

· 2 1/4 cups cocoa powder, preferably raw, sifted (I use DARK chocolate powder.)

In a high-speed blender, blend the coconut oil, agave nectar, vanilla, and salt. Add the shredded coconut, 1/2 cup at a time, and blend until smooth.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in 2 cups of the cocoa powder until thoroughly combined. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes or more to set slightly.

Place the remaining 1/4 cup cocoa powder onto a small plate. Spoon heaping tablespoons of the chocolate mixture and roll them into balls. Roll these in the cocoa powder (or coconut!). Store the finished truffles in the refrigerator.

sweet potato fries with cilantro-lime dipping sauce

2010-01-15T18:15:00.002-07:00

i had three sweet potatoes lying around tonight so i thought i'd whip up some sweet potato fries and dipping sauce. here's what i came up with-i was limited by what i had in my pantry, but it turned out pretty good. i'd like to try a curry dipping sauce and a spicy honey mustard next.

sweet potato fries

cut sweet potatoes into 1/2" strips. line baking sheet with foil or parchment and spray with EVOO spray. spread sweet potato strips on lined baking sheet, spray lightlly with EVOO and lightly salt. bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes, turning fries every ten minutes or so.

cilantro-lime dipping sauce

i just mixed the following to taste:

sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, crushed garlic, chopped cilantro, cumin powder, and salt. mix and allow to sit in refrigerator while fries bake so the flavors can set in.

Pineapple-Black Bean Enchiladas

2009-10-13T14:16:00.000-06:00

2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 c.)
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 c.)
1 (20 oz.) can pineapple tidbits, drained
1/3 c. pineapple juice, reserved
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chilies
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
3 c. (12 oz). shredded cheddar cheese
1 (10 oz.) can mild enchilada sauce (i like la victoria mild green enchilada sauce)
8 (8-9 in) whole wheat flour tortillas (i like costco's cook & serve white tortillas better...)
1/2 c. sour cream
8 tsp. fresh cilantro, chopped

Heat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Heat oil in a 12 inch nonstick skillet. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 4-5 minutes or until softened. Stir in pineapple, black beans, green chilies, and salt. Cook and stir until thoroughly heated. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in 1/2 c. cilantro and 2 cups cheese. Spread 1 tbl. enchilada sauce on each tortilla. Spoon about 3/4 c. vegetable mixture over sauce on each. Roll tortillas; place in baking dish, seam side down.

In small bowl, mix reserved 1/3 c. pineapple juice and remaining enchilada sauce; pour over entire surface of enchiladas in dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1 c. cheese. Spray a sheet of foil with cooking spray; place over baking dish and seal tightly. Bake 35-40 minutes*, removing foil during last 5-10 minutes of baking, until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly. Top each enchilada with 1 tbl. sour cream and 1 tsp. cilantro.

Serves 8

*For high altitude (Utah): bake 40-45 minutes

Mandarin Pasta Salad

2009-07-13T21:33:00.001-06:00

This is such a good salad for the summer. Filling, easy, and delicious. You can use Newman's Own Soy Ginger dressing in a pinch-it's not quite as good, but the same idea.

Mandarin Pasta Salad

1 small piece of fresh ginger root
1 garlic clove
1/3 cup rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix
2 tsp sugar
8 oz bow tie pasta
1 cucumber
1 small red bell pepper
1 small red onion
1 pkg (6 oz) fresh baby spinach leaves
1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges
2 skinless boneless chicken breasts or tenders (i leave this out, since i'm a veggie and it's just as good without the meat)
1/2 cup sliced almonds

For dressing, finely chop ginger root using Food Chopper. In Small Batter Bowl, whisk gingerroot, garlic pressed with Garlic Press, vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soup mix and sugar. Cover; refrigerate until ready to use.

For salad, cook past according to package directions in Professional Stockpot; drain and rinse under cold running water. Place past in Simple Additions Large Bowl.

Meanwhile, score cucumber using Lemon Zester/Scorer; remove seeds using The Corer. Slice cucumber using Ultimate Slice & Grate; cut slices in half. Dice bell pepper using Chef's Knife. Coarsely chop onion using Food Chopper. Add cucumber, bell pepper, onion, spinach, mandarin oranges, chicken and almonds to pasta. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Serve Immediately.

Banana Nutter Butter Trifle!!

2009-04-17T18:36:00.001-06:00

Here is a really Yummy recipe that I made for Tyler's birthday cake!!! *you can really layer how ever you want, it is really FUN. but for the banana's to not turn brown i would keep them on top of the pudding because they sink into it making them stay fresh!!! ENJOY*

Banana Nutter Butter Trifle

1 white cake mix (i think banana bread would be yummy too for that layer)
1 package peanut butter chips
2 packages instant banana cream pudding mix
1 small carton of cool wip
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup whipping cream
4 1/4 cup milk
4 large bananas
8-10 nutter butter cookies

-prepare cake accordingly, let it cool completely before putting into trifle bowl
-in sauce pan combined 1/4 cup milk, cream, peanut butter chips until chip melted, remove from heat, stir in vanilla, cool to room temp
-place remaining milk in bowl, mix pudding , let set in fridge
-in separate bowl crush nutter butter cookies
to assemble:

crumble 1/2 cake into Trifle bowl, layer with 1/2 peanut sauce, 1/2 banana pudding, sliced bananas, cool whip, nutter butter cookies and repeat!

*you can really layer how ever you want, it is really FUN. but for the banana's to not turn brown i would keep them on top of the pudding because they sink into it making them stay fresh!!! ENJOY*

Toffee Brownies

2009-01-25T08:56:00.004-07:00

These brownies look absolutely decadent. And what do you need more, in the depressing months of winter than a serious pick-me-up. Look no further.

1 (17.6 oz) Brownie Mix Package with Walnuts
Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray
3 (6 oz) Candy Bars with Almond and Toffee (Blue Symphony Bars)

Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions.

Line a 13 by 9-inch cake pan with aluminum foil and spray with vegetable oil cooking spray. Spoon in half of the brownie batter and smooth with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Place the candy bars side by side on top of the batter. Cover with the remaining batter.

Bake according to package directions. Let cool completely, then lift from the pan using the edges of the foil. This makes it easy to cut the brownies into squares.

Ranch Cheese Ball

2008-11-26T14:06:00.003-07:00

If you're in need of a quick appetizer to take to holiday festivities, try this. You can't go wrong with Ranch, right? Don't ask me how many calories/fat grams this bad boy has. That's why i said "holiday" festivities:

Ranch Cheese Ball:
8 oz cream cheese softened
3/4 c. sour cream
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 pkg Ranch Dressing Mix (the one that is the buttermilk recipe)
1 sm pkg sliced almonds

Mix together all but almonds, form into ball, roll in almonds and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Neiman-Marcus Cookies

2008-11-25T12:46:00.001-07:00

Has anyone else received the email below? Have you tried to make them yet? With two cups of butter, they've gotta be good, right?

First, the email, then the recipe:

"Neiman-Marcus, if you don't know already, is a very expensive store; Let's let them have it! THIS IS A TRUE STORY!My daughter and I had just finished a salad at a Neiman-Marcus Cafe In Dallas, and we decided to have a small dessert. Because both of us are such cookie lovers, we decided to try the 'Neiman-Marcus cookie.' It was so excellent that I asked if they would give me the recipe, and the waitress said with a small frown, 'I'm afraid not, but you can buy The Recipe.' Well, I asked how much, and she responded, ' Only two fifty - it's a Great deal!' I agreed to that,and told her to just add it to my Tab.Thirty days later, I received my VISA statement, and the Neiman-Marcus Charge was $285.00! I looked again, and I remembered I had only spent $9.95 for two salads and about $20.00 for a scarf. As I glanced at the bottom of the statement, it said,'Cookie Recipe-$250.00.' That was Outrageous! I called Neiman's Accounting Department and told them the waitress said it was 'two fifty', which clearly does not mean 'two hundred and fifty dollars' by any reasonable interpretation of the phrase. Neiman-Marcus refused to budge. They would not refund my money because, according to them, 'What the waitress told you is not our problem. You have already seen the Recipe. We absolutely will not refund your money at this point.' I explained to the Accounting Department lady the criminal statutes which govern fraud in the State of Texas I threatened to report them to the Better Business Bureau and the Texas Attorney General's office for engaging in fraud. I was basically told, 'Do what you want. Don't bother thinking of how you can get even, and don't bother trying to get any of your money Back.'I just said, Okay, you folks got my $250, and now I'm going to have$250 worth of fun. I told her that I was going to see to it that every Cookie Lover in the United States with an e-mail account has a $250cookie recipe From Neiman-Marcus...for free. She replied, 'I wish you wouldn't do this.' I said, 'Well, perhaps you should have thought of that before you ripped me off!' and slammed down the phone.So here it is!Please, please, please pass it on to everyone you can possibly think of.I paid $250 for this, and I don't want Neiman-Marcus to EVER make another penny off of this recipe!"

NEIMAN-MARCUS COOKIES

(Recipe may be halved)

2 cups butter

24 oz. Chocolate chips

4 cups flour

2 cups brown sugar

2 tsp. Soda

1 tsp. Salt

2 cups sugar

1 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated)

5 cups blended oatmeal

4 eggs

2 tsp. Baking powder

2 tsp. Vanilla

3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda . Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar, and nuts. Roll into balls, and place two inches apart on a cookie Sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.Makes 112 cookies.

Crock Pot Pork Chops

2008-11-10T22:11:00.005-07:00

It really doesn't get any easier than this.

2-3 regular size pork chops

1 12oz can of frozen apple juice

Place the pork chops in the crock pot (frozen or thawed doesn't matter). Empty can of Apple Juice concentrate into crock pot.

Cook on high 4-hours or low 8-hours

They are delicious, tender, and extremely easy to make!

BYU Mint Brownies. Rah Rah Rah!

2008-10-01T15:58:00.003-06:00

MAKES ONE 9-BY-13 PAN OF BROWNIES.
PREP AND COOK: 90 min. COOL: 1 hr.

1 c. margarine
1/2 c. cocoa
2 Tbsp. honey
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped walnuts (icky-i skip this!)
12 oz. chocolate icing (Use your own icing recipe or purchase some chocolate frosting. You can also search the Internet for chocolate icing recipes.)

MINT ICING

5 Tbsp. margarine
dash of salt
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 1/3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. mint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring

1. Melt margarine and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool. Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.

2. Prepare mint icing: Soften margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.

3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate icing.

CHOCOLATE ICING (Liz's Version)

1 2/3 c. powdered sugar
4 T margarine, softenend
1 T light corn syrup
6 T cocoa
6 T milk

I made this chocolate icing recipe up and I actually can't remember the measurements for the cocoa & milk. I just keep adding till i got the consistency right (a think ganache). So just mix everything then slowly add cocoa and milk till you find your right proportions. I wanted it to be a little fudgy and a little bitter (cocoa) because the mint icing and the brownie itself are very sweet.

Great Harvest Pumpkin Bread

2008-09-29T15:02:00.003-06:00

I tried this recipe a few nights ago and it was amazing. It tasted exactly like Great Harvest's pumpkin bread. I'm serious. Store it wrapped in saran wrap to keep it moist. It's delicious.

GREAT HARVEST PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD
2 1/2 cups white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
16 oz cooked or canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten lightly
2/3 cup water
1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two (9x5 inch) loaf pans or three (8x4 inch) loaf pans.
Mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl; set aside.
Mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, and 2/3 cup water together and stir into dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Place batter in prepared pans.
Bake 60 or 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

peach pie #2

2008-09-15T23:12:00.003-06:00

peaches are my favorite, and i love peach season more than anything. i wait all year for my mom's peach pie. it is honestly the best pie ever. my mom and i made four on saturday, and i was planning to take a picture so i could post it but davis and i already ate ours. the crust is delicious, it tastes like a shortbread cookie. mmmmmm.

Crust:
1 stick butter-soft
1 cup flour
3 T sugar
Combine using pastry cutter or fork. Press into greased pie pan and bake on 375 for 15 minutes.

6-7 peeled peaches-lemon alberta is the best variety for pies.

In a saucepan on medium to medium high (don't get it too hot or it will burn), take 2 or 3 of the peaches and smash with fork or cut them into chunks. Add 2 Tablespoons cornstarch and cook until it thickens up substantially. (about 10 minutes.)

Slice the remaining peaches straight into the cooked pie shell. Pour the peach/sauce over the fresh sliced peaches. Make sure to cover the peaches completely, it seals in the peaches and keeps them fresh.

Chill in the fridge until cool.

easy summer peach pie

2008-09-12T09:14:00.001-06:00

so easy & SO good:

cooked pie shell filled with
3 large peaches/peeled/pitted/sliced (usually use more peaches, enough to fill & slightly mound)

in saucepan combine:
2 large mashed peaches
1 c. sugar
3 T corn starch
1/2 c. water

bring to boil, remove from heat and add:
1/2 t. almond extract
1 t. vanilla
2 T butter (not margarine)

allow to cool slightly, then poor over peaches in pie shell. chill & serve.

NOT A DINNER RECIPIE... BUT, A YUMMY DESSERT ONE...

2008-08-03T19:14:00.001-06:00

Dirt Dessert
Dirt Dessert

2 Packages oreo cookies (crush and set aside)

cream together: 1/2 c. butter You will also need: milk
8 oz. cream cheese 2 am packages of chocolate pudding
1/2 c. sugar 1 container Cool Whip

Take 2 small packages of Chocolate instant pudding
and make according to dorections. When pudding is set, add one small container of cool whil. Then mix with the butter, cream cheese and sugar mixture.
Layer cookie crumbs and pudding mixture. Make sure last layer is cookie crumbs. You can also add Gummy worms throughout the procedure and put a layer of green sprinkles on top for grass. Refrigerate when done until ready to eat. Enjoy!!!

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Dinner

2008-06-30T20:35:00.003-06:00

This is the easiest recipe I have ever done and my husband loved it. I got it from my sister-in-law and owe her big time for it! :) THANKS TORY!

Ingredients:
3-5 pcs frozen chicken breasts (or any desired piece of chicken, but breasts work the best)
1 bottle BBQ sauce of choice
Crock Pot
Rice

In the morning put 3-5 chicken breasts in the crock pot. Pour in a whole bottle of your choice of BBQ sauce. Set to low and cook for 8 hours. At about the 6th hour, check to make sure that it is mixing together well and mix if necessary. At the 7th hour use a fork to pull the chicken apart. Cook as much rice as desired in enough time to eat when hungry. This is also good if you cook the chicken and put it on a sandwich.

fusilli alla caprese

2008-03-25T14:07:00.002-06:00

1 pound fusilli pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 1/2 pints)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn

8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced (about 1 1/4 cups)
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist. Serve.

Individual Orange and Chocolate Cheesecakes

2008-03-18T11:39:00.004-06:00

i am making this for lindsay's baby shower. i know it's early but i'm pumped. thank you giada de laurentis. i love you and your abnormally short arms.

1/3 cup finely crushed chocolate wafers
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
2 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons
1 orange, zested
1 egg
Butter, for greasing

Special equipment: mini muffin tin

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the crushed chocolate wafers and the melted butter. Place a tightly packed teaspoon of the wafer mixture into each mini-muffin cup and press down firmly.

In a food processor combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the sugar, half of the orange zest, and the egg. Blend until smooth. Lightly grease the sides of the mini muffin tin with butter. Fill the cups with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheesecake mixture. Place the mini muffin tin in a baking dish and pour enough hot water in the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the mini muffin tin. Bake for 25 minutes. Transfer the mini muffin tin to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Use a small knife to gently pop the cheesecakes out of the cups.

Just before serving, combine the remaining orange zest with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Top each individual cheesecake with about 1/4 teaspoon of the orange zest mixture and serve.

Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings

2008-03-13T19:17:00.003-06:00

The texture of the crescent rolls becomes something entirely different during the baking process: the top gets delightfully crisp and flavorful, while the underneath side remains soft and mushy and more “apple dumpling-y”. And the Mountain Dew, coupled with the obscene amound of butter, creates a yummy, sweet sauce at the end. Serve these beauties with ice cream (or, if you’re on a diet, a huge dollup of sweetened whipped heavy cream) and you’ll be left wondering how such ordinary ingredients can be so sublime.

The Cast of Characters: Granny Smith apples, Butter, Sugar, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, and a can of Mountain Dew.

Apple Dumplings

2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew (i use abt. 6 oz.)

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

Chicken Noodle Casserole - Super Easy

2008-03-05T19:17:00.002-07:00

This is a super easy recipe. My father-in-law makes it and it's my favorite. I hope that you all enjoy it as well.

1 package - Egg Wide Noodles
1 regular can - Cream of Chicken Soup
2 12 oz (or close to) cans - Chicken
Cheddar Cheese
Garlic Salt To Taste
Salt & Pepper
Frozen Peas (if you want)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Boil noodles like normal
Strain noodles and pour into casserole dish
Heat soup and chicken in pot
Pour soup/chicken mixture over noodles in sauce pan
Add peas if you want
Lightly toss everything in casserole dish
Sprinkle garlic powder, salt and pepper lightly over the top
Sprinkle as much cheddar cheese over the top as you would like (I prefer to just sprinkle a light amount over it because then you get all the flavors)
Place casserole dish in the oven for approx. 20 minutes

I hope that you all enjoy. Let me know if you think of anything else that adds to this or makes it better. :)

Cheese Cake - DELICIOUS!

2008-02-27T21:37:00.002-07:00

1 (12 oz.) Brick of Plain Cream Cheese
1 Can Condensed Milk
1 Whole Lemon
1 Tsp. Vanilla
1 Graham Cracker Crust

Soften Cream Cheese In Microwave For Approx. 45 Seconds.
Blend Softened Cream Cheese and Condensed Milk.
Squeeze As Much Juice As You Can Get Out Of The Lemon By Hand.
Add Lemon Juice To Cheese/Milk Mixture Until Smooth And Add A Cap Full (Approx. 1 Tsp.) Of Vanilla.
Pour Mixture Into Crust And Place In Refrigerator For At Least 2 Hours To Set Up.
You Can Add Any Topping You Would Like. However, This Cheesecake Is Good Even Without A Topping.

I Have Never Tried This, But It Might Even Be Good To Use Strawberry Flavored Cream Cheese For A Hint Of Flavor. Hope You All Enjoy It! :)

Leesa's Quick & Easy Taco Soup

2008-02-21T16:41:00.006-07:00

The BEST cheap quick meal that fills you up!

2 Cans of Chilli
1 Can of Corn
1 Bottle of 12 Oz regular bottle of Salsa
1 Can of Black Beans

Heat up all of the above into a pot, once it's boiling, it's done!
Serve as you wish!
The way we do it at our place:
layer broken tortilla chips (my fave = Lime Tortilla chips) or fritos on the bottom of a bowl and top it with taco soup and cheese!

ENJOY!

Pomegranate Smoothie

2008-02-21T08:23:00.006-07:00

1/3 c. (3 oz.) silken tofu
1 c. frozen mixed berries
1/2 c. pomegranate juice
1/4 c. ice cubes
2 t. honey

blend well and enjoy! lots of protein and antioxidants-perfect for breakfast!

In the mood for Brownies....

2008-02-10T22:35:00.001-07:00

Simple, delicious brownies*
4 eggs
3 round T. cocoa
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. melted butter
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 c. flour

Blend all together. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, and enjoy the best brownies!!!

praline cookies

2008-01-05T02:02:00.001-07:00

Okay...I really can't take credit for these cookies because I got them off Martha Stewart, however my mom and I made them right before Christmas and they are amazing! Really...try them....you'll see. Love them.
Ingredients:
Makes 3 dozen

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups light-brown sugar, firmly packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if necessary
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 cup pecan halves, toasted (I didn't toast) and broken into large pieces

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. I
n the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and 1 1/2 cups light-brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add egg and vanilla. Beat until fully combined.
Add dry ingredients, and beat on low speed until combined.
Drop batter in rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Bake until firm and barely golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer cookies from pan to wire rack.

Icing:
In a small saucepan, combine remaining 1 cup light-brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add confectioners' sugar, and whisk until smooth. (If frosting thickens, thin with cream.) Add pecan pieces.
Place cookies on a cooling rack over a lined baking pan. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon praline mixture onto each cookie.

martha

2008-01-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Makes 36

* 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
* 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar, for rolling dough
* 36 mini peanut butter cups, chilled and unwrapped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using an electric mixer, cream peanut butter and butter in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add brown sugar; beat until combined, scraping down bowl as needed. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until incorporated.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture in two batches.
3. Scoop off dough by the tablespoon; roll into balls. Place granulated sugar on a plate; roll balls in sugar, coating completely. Place 2 inches apart on a nonstick insulated baking sheet.
4. Bake until cookies begin to puff up slightly, about 7 minutes. Remove from oven. Press one peanut butter cup in center of each cookie. Return to oven; continue baking until cookies are golden brown and chocolate has begun to melt, about 6 minutes more. Let cool at least 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring cookies to rack to cool completely.

so yummers

2008-01-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

tell me that is not the tastiest looking sammy you ever saw?
go to popsugar.com (yumsugar section) for more

2 slices multigrain bread
2 tablespoons sweet mustard
2 slices cold-cut turkey
1/4 of an avocado, cut into thin slices
9 thin-cut slices of cucumber
alfalfa sprouts
1 slice of Swiss or mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place bread slices side by side on an oven-safe plate or baking sheet. Spread one tablespoon of sweet mustard (I prefer Trader Joe's Hot & Sweet) on one slice of multigrain bread.

Healthy snacks

2007-12-03T19:59:00.001-07:00

I love annies homegrown for kids and for me. It's all natural, no hydrogenated oils etc. I've found annies brand at target and wal-mart. They also have it at good earth but it's a little more pricey. check out their website- there are even recipes... http://www.annies.com/index.html
I'm starting to see organic goodies in normal grocery stores more. It makes me happy!

Market Street Grill's Clam Chowder

2007-12-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

for me clam chowder and i have had a life long love affair. at market street grill they have probably the best clam chowder ever! (best i've tasted at least) anyway, a while back my mom found the recipe and made it for our family and i was so impressed. it tasted just as good at home as it does at the restaurant. i don't know why i didn't think to post this recipe earlier but i am making the chowder this week so i thought i'd post it. the recipe makes 12 servings so for us small families i would probably half it and eat the leftovers for the next few days.

Ingredients:
1 cup potatoes, diced ½ inch
1 cup celery, diced ½ inch
1 cup onion, diced ½ inch
1 cup green pepper, diced ½ inch
1 cup leeks, diced ½ inch
¾ cup chopped clams (canned or fresh)
¾ tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
1 ½ tablespoon salt
¾ tablespoon whole thyme
6 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Tabasco
¾ cup sherry wine (optional)
2 cups water
¾ cup clam juice (drained from canned clams or purchased separately in can)
¾ cup butter, melted
1 cup flour
2 quarts half-and-half

Directions:
Combine melted butter and flour in oven-proof container and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. In large saucepan, combine remaining ingredients except half-and-half. Simmer until potatoes are thoroughly cooked. Stir butter-flour mixture into chowder and stir until thick. Mixture will be slightly less thick than cookie dough. Remove chowder from heat. Stir in half-and-half until blended. Heat to serving temperature, stirring occasionally.

Serve immediately.

crockpot chicken taco's

2007-11-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Davis loves these and I love mexican food so I make them a lot. They are really good and really easy.

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 cup chicken broth
Combine all in crock; cook 6-8 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH.

Warm up some tortillas and serve with your favorite taco fillers. I usually do chopped onions, cilantro, tomatoes and avocado, and cheese and salsa.

southwestern omelet

2007-11-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large egg whites
1 large egg
1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup (1 ounce) reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup bottled salsa
Cooking spray

Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine beans, onions, cheese, and salsa in a medium bowl.
Heat a medium nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Pour egg mixture into pan; let egg mixture set slightly. Tilt pan and carefully lift edges of omelet with a spatula; allow uncooked portion to flow underneath cooked portion. Cook 3 minutes; flip omelet. Spoon bean mixture onto half of omelet. Carefully loosen omelet with a spatula; fold in half. Cook 1 minute or until cheese melts. Slide omelet onto a plate; cut in half.

white turkey chili

2007-11-26T10:58:00.001-07:00

Ingredients
1 tablespoon stick margarine or butter

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 tablespoon minced seeded jalapeño pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

3 cups chopped cooked turkey (about 15 ounces) (i'm sure you could use ground turkey here if you wanted to)

2 (19-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other white beans, drained and divided

2 (16-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles

1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup 1% low-fat milk

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Melt the margarine in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and next 4 ingredients (onion through garlic), and sauté 5 minutes. Add turkey, 1 1/2 cups beans, broth, and next 6 ingredients (broth through black pepper), and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.
Mash remaining beans. Add mashed beans and milk to the turkey mixture. Simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes or until mixture is thick, stirring frequently. Stir in chopped cilantro.

holiday treats--popcorn balls

2007-11-25T20:44:00.001-07:00

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup white corn syrup
bring to a boil, making sure the brown sugar is well melted before it boils.
add:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 lb. butter
bring all ingredients to a boil, then add 3/4 tsp. vanilla.
pour the sauce over the popcorn in a large brown paper bag and shake.

molasses cookies (for lindy...these are my moms)

2007-11-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

sift together

4 cups flour

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cloves

cream together

1 1/3 cup soft butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

2 eggs

combine the two mixtures. if it is sticky add 1/3 cup more flour. roll into balls, then roll in sugar. bake on a greased cookie sheet for 9 minutes at 400 degrees. (i actually cook them a minuter or 2 longer but my mom likes them a little more gooey and i like them fully cooked.)

Lion House Rolls

2007-11-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yield: 2-3 dozen, depending on size

There are a few versions of this recipe out there, but this one has been tested my sister-in-law and she says they are pretty good...

2 T. Yeast
1/2 c. scalded milk

Mix together with a pinch of salt and sugar (to help activate the yeast). Set aside.

1/2 c. butter, cubed
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. salt
2 c. scalded milk
6-7 c. flour

Mix butter, sugar, eggs, salt and milk together. Add the yeast mixture and then gradually add the flour until dough is soft, but not sticky. Knead for a few minutes until dough is smooth. Cover and let rise until double (45 min - 1 hour). Roll out dough and brush with melted butter. Cut using pizza cutter into 1.5 by 6 inch strips. Roll up strips from short end and brush with melted butter. Place on greased pan and let rise again (45 min - 1 hour). Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 min (depending on oven and your liking, I baked them 14 min and I think it was too long), or until golden brown. Immediately brush again with melted butter.

Southern Pecan Pie

2007-11-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

350 degrees


1 9 in. unbaked pie shell
1 cup pecans
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 c melted butter (no substitute)
3/4 c light corn syrup (dark may be used)
7/8 c granulated sugar or 1 c brown sugar (I like
   brown)
1 t vanilla

Spread pecans over the bottom of the unbaked pie
crust. Beat eggs slightly. Add melted butter, corn
syrup, and sugar. Blend well. Stir in vanilla. Pour
mixture over pecans in pie shell. Bake for 45 to 60
minutes until center of pie is set. Cool before
serving.

Nestle Toll House Pie

2007-11-19T09:42:00.001-07:00

Estimated Times:

Preparation - 15 min Cooking - 55 min Cooling Time - 15 min cooling Yields - 8

Ingredients:

1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell *
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup (6 oz.) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup chopped nuts
Sweetened whipped cream or ice cream (optional)

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 325° F.

BEAT eggs in large mixer bowl on high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spoon into pie shell.

BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with whipped cream.

NOTES:
* If using frozen pie shell, use deep-dish style, thawed completely. Bake on baking sheet; increase baking time slightly.

easy chocolate icing

2007-11-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

1 container of chocolate fudge icing
1 small container of cream..
whip together until desired consistency,
done and done.

fudge cake

2007-11-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

lindsay can attest to this being so yummy!

ingredients:
* 1 1/2 cups white sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 eggs
* 1 cup milk
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 cup hot water
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup butter
directions:
1. Cream butter or margarine and sugar together in a large bowl. Add vanilla, and then eggs to the mixture.

2. In another bowl, mix together flour, soda, baking powder, and salt. Sour the milk by adding the lemon juice or vinegar. Add flour mixture alternately with soured milk to the creamed mixture.

3. Mix cocoa and hot water together, and beat into batter.

4.Grease and flour 2 9x9 round cake tins, pour batter evenly into both, 2/3 of the way full

5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cool, and frost with desired frosting.

(for variations: add nuts, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, or throw in milk chocolate and white chocolate chunks into batter after poured in tins and right before baking)

Tons of good receipes

2007-11-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Go to this website and you can find a ton of different receipes at the click of the mouse. It has some amazing cookie receipes!!

http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/

i like it raw

2007-11-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

thanks kim! just so we're all aware most of my great recipe ideas will be raw or organic... these are good though...

cabbage can form the package in these spicy Thai wraps.

Spicy Thai Vegetable Wraps With Tamarind Dipping Sauce

Servings
Makes 12 wraps.

Ingredients
Tamarind Dipping Sauce
1 cup tamarind paste
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Pinch sea salt

Wraps
1⁄2 cup chopped cashews
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
1⁄4 cup maple syrup
1⁄2 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped ginger
1 tablespoon chopped red chile with seeds
1 1⁄2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 cup raw almond butter
1⁄2 head savoy cabbage, shredded
6 very large collard-green leaves
1 large carrot, julienned
1 small ripe mango, cut lengthwise into batons
2 cups bean sprouts
1⁄2 cup cilantro leaves
1⁄2 cup torn basil leaves
1⁄4 cup mint leaves

Cooking Instructions
Tamarind Dipping Sauce
Place the tamarind paste, maple syrup, soy sauce, and olive oil in blender, and purée until smooth. Taste for seasoning. Pour into a bowl, and set aside. May be made ahead of time and refrigerated.

Wraps
Mix the cashews, sesame oil, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

Purée the maple syrup, lemon juice, ginger, red chile, and soy sauce in a blender. Add the almond butter, and blend at low speed to combine. Add water to thin if necessary.

Put the shredded cabbage in a bowl, and pour the almond-butter mixture over it. Toss well to combine.

Cut out the center rib of each collard-green leaf, dividing the leaf in half. Place 1 half-leaf on a cutting board with underside face up. Arrange a few tablespoons of the cabbage mixture evenly across the bottom third of the leaf, leaving about 1 1⁄2 inches clear at the bottom. Sprinkle some of the chopped cashews over the cabbage. Lay a few sticks of carrot, a baton of mango, and a few bean sprouts on top. Add a few leaves each of cilantro, basil, and mint. Fold the bottom of the leaf up and over the filling, keeping it tight, and tuck the leaf under the ingredients and roll forward. Place the roll seam-side down on a serving dish. Repeat with remaining collard leaves and ingredients.

Serve with the tamarind dipping sauce.

Cran- Orange Streusel Muffins

2007-11-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

I have not made these yet but i found them in a magazine and im going to try them out. let me know if you like them

Ingredients:
1/4 C butter (softened)
1/2 C sugar
1 egg
1 C Milk
1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
1/2 tsp Vanilla
2 C Flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C fresh or frozen cranberries (coarsly chopped)
2 1/2 tsp grated orange peel

topping:

2 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp Brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp cold butter

In large bowl:
beat butter and sugar. Add egg.Beat in milk, applesauce and vanilla.
In small bowl:
combine flour, baking powder, and salt

then stir into butter mixture. fold in cranberries and orange peel. combine topping and sprinkle over batter (cut in butter)
Bake at 400 degrees for 18 - 22 minutes

Wassail, Wassail!

2007-11-13T21:33:00.000-07:00

Wassail, wassail, all over the town: Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown,
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree,: With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
Drink to thee, drink to thee,: With a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

And here is to Dobbin and to his right eye,: Pray God send our master a good Christmas pie,
A good Christmas pie that may we all see,: With a wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
Drink to thee, drink to thee,: With a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

And here is to Broad May and to her broad horn,: May God send our master a good crop of corn,
A good crop of corn that may we all see,: With a wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
Drink to thee, drink to thee,: With a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

And here is to Fillpail and to her left ear,: Pray God send our master a happy New Year,
A happy New Year as e'er he did see,: With a wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
Drink to thee, drink to thee,: With a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

And here is to Colly and to her long tail,: Pray God send our master a good cask of ale,
A good cask of ale that may we all see,: With a wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
Drink to thee, drink to thee,: With a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

Come butler, come fill us a bowl of the best,: They I pray that your soul in heaven may rest,
But if you do bring us a bowl of the small,: May the devil take butler, bowl and all.
Bowl and all, bowl and all,: May the devil take butler, bowl and all.

Then here's to the maid in the lily-white smock,: Who tripped to the door and slipped back the lock,
Who tripped to the door and pulled back the pin,: For to let these jolly wassailers in.
Wassailers in, wassailers in,: For to let these jolly wassailers in.

How to make it:

1 gallon apple cider
3 small cans orange juice
1/2 quart grapefruit juice

1 quart syrup made with 2 parts water to 1 part sugar, 6 sticks cinnamon, and 20 cloves. Simmer for at least 1.5 hours.

Combine juices with simmered syrup and float orange slices to serve!

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies

2007-11-13T17:07:00.001-07:00

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1 egg
1 1/2 t. vanilla
48 undrained maraschino cherries (10 oz.)
1/2 (6 oz. ) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

In bowl combine flour and cocoa. Set aside. Beat butter till soft. Add sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Beat well. Add eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture.

Shape into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Press center down and place cherry in center of each.

In saucepan, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat till melted. Stir in 4 t. of cherry juice. Frost each to cover cherry (thin with juice if needed). The frosting recipe makes much more than you actually need, so you can half it if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or till done. Move to rack to cool.

Chocolate Balls

2007-11-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

1 6 oz package chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
½ c chopped nuts
1 2/3 c graham cracker crumbs
½ c coconut
¼ t salt

Melt chips- combine with remaining ingredients. Spread in 8 in sq pan.
Bake at 375 for 20 min.

Cut into squares while warm. Roll each square into a ball and roll in powdered sugar.

German Bars

2007-11-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

Melt: 1 bag Kraft caramels in 1/3 c evaporated milk and set aside.

Mix: 1 german chocolate cake mix with 1/3 c evaporated milk and ¾ c melted butter.
Mix well with electric mixer.

Spread: ½ of batter onto 9x13 lightly grease pan and bake for 6 minutes at 300

Remove: Sprinkle 1 c chocolate chips and 1 cup nuts(optional) on top. Drizzle melted caramel on top of that and drop dobs of remaining batter over that and bake 20 minutes more.

soft ginger cookies

2007-11-13T17:00:00.002-07:00

Combine in a large bowl and beat with mixer until light and fluffy:

1 ½ c shortening
2 c sugar
2 eggs
½ c molasses

Mix together and add to above with a spoon:

4 ½ c flour
2 t soda
2 t cinnamon
2 t cloves
2 t ginger

Form dough into walnut size balls. Place on cookie sheet. Do not press. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes for soft cookies or 12 minutes for hard cookies. Remove from oven and let sit 1 minute. Remove to rack and drizzle with glaze while still warm.

Glaze:
Powdered sugar
Water

Mix to form a very thin paste.

Red, White & Blue Salad

2007-11-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

Serves 10

2 small boxes raspberry jell-o
½ c. cold water
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
15 oz. can blueberries, do not drain
3 c. hot water
1 envelope Knox gelatin
1 c. half & half
1 t. vanilla
1/8 c. nuts (optional)

1st layer: dissolve 1 box raspberry jell-o in 2 c. hot water. Pour into 9x13” baking dish. Chill till firm.

2nd layer: dissolve gelatin in ½ c. cold water. Heat half & half and sugar without boiling and add gelatin. Add vanilla and softened cream cheese. Mix until smooth. Add nuts, if desired. Pour over chilled 1st layer and return to refrigerator to chill until set.

3rd layer: dissolve 1 box raspberry jell-o in 1 c. hot water. Add blueberries including the juice. Pour over chilled 1st and 2nd layers and return to refrigerator to chill until set. Serve chilled.

Cranberry Orange Relish

2007-11-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

1 12 oz. package fresh cranberries
1 medium orange
¾ to 1 c. sugar

Cut unpeeled orange into eight pieces. Remove white stuff. Combine oranged and cranberries in Cuisinart/food processor and grind till desired thickness. Add sugar. Do a day or two ahead.

Spinach Souffle-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

2007-11-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

Serves 4

1 10-12oz package frozen spinash soufflé (Stouffer’s)
4 whole medium chicken breasts, boned
2 T butter or margarine
2 garlic cloves, sliced
½ c. water
½ t. salt
2 T lemon juice
¼ t pepper
1 T chopped parsley (garnish)

Pound chicken breasts to ¼ “ thickness. Cut frozen soufflé into 4 equal pieces. Place piece of soufflé on breast, fold other half over filling and fasten with toothpicks. In 12’ frying pan over med-high heat, cook garlic in butter until browned. Discard garlic. Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides. Add water, lemon juice, salt & pepper; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20-30 minutes or until fork-tender. To serve discard toothpicks. Arrange on a heated platter; spoon sauce over. Garnish with parsley.

Spaghetti with Chicken

2007-11-13T16:27:00.001-07:00

We need to come up with a better name for this recipe-one that conveys how delicious it really is!

Serves 4-6

8 oz. spaghetti
2 chicken breasts cut into strips
3 T oil
2 c. thinly sliced zucchini
3 medium carrots, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T flour
1 ½ c. milk
2/3 c. parmesan cheese
1 t salt
½ t basil

Stir fry chicken in oil. Stir in vegetables and garlic. Fry till crisp tender. Stir in flour and milk all at once. Cook till thickened slightly, stirring constantly. Stir in parmesan, salt, and basil. Carefully fold in cooked spaghetti.

Super Simple Key Lime Pie

2007-11-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c. key lime juice (best if fresh, but bottled works too)
1 tsp. key lime zest (if using bottled key lime juice, you can use a regular lime for the zest)
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
9" pie shell, baked (graham cracker crust works too, but it's really really sweet)

Mix milk, juice and zest. Fold in Cool Whip till well blended. Color if desired (I like a barely yellow-green tint). Cool in fridge till stiffened (at least 1 hour). Garnish with Cool Whip and key lime slices or zest.

Steak Continental

2007-11-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

Just made this for dinner-so easy and so quick (except for the marinating part, but you can get away with less time if needed). Also, it can get pretty salty, so I omit the salt altogether and use reduced sodium soy sauce. And I like to double the sauce ingredients-more for noodles and dipping. Mmmmm....

2 lb. flank steak
2 cloves garlic w/ a little salt
4 T soy sauce
4 T tomato paste (1 sm can)
2 T oil
pepper
1 t. oregano

Mix above ingredients. Score steak on both sides. Brush with mixture; wrap in heavy duty foil and marinate 6 hours to overnight. Broil 5-8 minutes on each side. Slice across grain to serve.

We serve this with egg noodles and peas. Yummy!

Seared Ahi with Avocado

2007-11-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

*this isn't really what it looks like, but close

Leaves from 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
2 jalapenos, sliced
4 tsp. grated fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, grated
4 limes, juiced
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/8 t. sugar
salt & ground fresh pepper
1/4 c = 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
4 (6 0z.) blocks sushi-quality tuna
2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced

Combine cilantro, jalapeno, ginger, garlic, lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, & 1/4 c. olive oil in mixing bowl.

Place large skillet over medium heat & coat with 2 T olive oil. Season tuna pieces generously with salt & pepper. Lay tuna in hot oil & sear for 1 minute to form a slight crust; flip and sear again 1 minute.

Pour half of cilantro mixture into pan to coat tuna. Transfer seared tuna to plates and serve with sliced avocado and the remaining cilantro mixture drizzled over the whole plate.

Great with asparagus!

macaroni grill's penne rustica

2007-11-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

12 oz. grilled chicken breast (marinate in olive oil and garlic salt overnight, then grill on barbecue for best flavor)

½ pack thick bacon

48 oz. (3 boxes) penne pasta

2 large red bell peppers-diced

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

½ tsp paprika

Gratinata Sauce:

2 tsp butter

2 tsp chopped garlic

1 cup marsala wine OR 1/3 cup apple juice + 2 tbsp red wine vinegar +enough chicken broth to equal 1 cup

1 tsp dijon or dry mustard

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chopped rosemary

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

8 cups heavy cream

Directions:

Sauté garlic in butter in large pan. Add marsala wine, mustard, salt, rosemary, cayenne pepper, and heavy cream.Cook pasta according to directions. Cook bacon. Slice chicken into medium-bite size pieces.Combine sauce, cooked pasta, diced chicken, cooked bacon, bell peppers, parmesan cheese, and paprika and mix thoroughly. Spread in pans. Top with chopped rosemary and mozzarella cheese.

Bake @ 475 for 10 minutes. If frozen, thaw in refrigerator the day of. Cover with foil and bake @ 375 for 1 hour. Remove foil during the last 15 minutes.

Number Of Servings: Yields one 8x8 and two 9x13 casserole dishes.

Preparation Time: More than an hour, but well worth it!

come one, come all!

2007-11-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

this is my new blog. i hope everyone i know participates because that is what will make it successful. what i'm looking for here is recipes of all sorts! i know you have them...so let's share! i want everyone imaginable to contribute so dust off your recipe box and post!
kim ngarupe

extreme dinner makeover

Chocolate Coconut Truffles

sweet potato fries with cilantro-lime dipping sauce

Pineapple-Black Bean Enchiladas

Mandarin Pasta Salad

Banana Nutter Butter Trifle!!

Toffee Brownies

Ranch Cheese Ball

Neiman-Marcus Cookies

Crock Pot Pork Chops

BYU Mint Brownies. Rah Rah Rah!

MAKES ONE 9-BY-13 PAN OF BROWNIES.PREP AND COOK: 90 min. COOL: 1 hr.

MINT ICING

Great Harvest Pumpkin Bread

peach pie #2

easy summer peach pie

NOT A DINNER RECIPIE... BUT, A YUMMY DESSERT ONE...

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Dinner

fusilli alla caprese

Individual Orange and Chocolate Cheesecakes

Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings

Chicken Noodle Casserole - Super Easy

Cheese Cake - DELICIOUS!

Leesa's Quick & Easy Taco Soup

Pomegranate Smoothie

In the mood for Brownies....

praline cookies

martha

so yummers

Healthy snacks

Market Street Grill's Clam Chowder

crockpot chicken taco's

southwestern omelet

white turkey chili

holiday treats--popcorn balls

molasses cookies (for lindy...these are my moms)

Lion House Rolls

Southern Pecan Pie

Nestle Toll House Pie

easy chocolate icing

fudge cake

Tons of good receipes

i like it raw

Cran- Orange Streusel Muffins

Wassail, Wassail!

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies

Chocolate Balls

German Bars

soft ginger cookies

Red, White & Blue Salad

Cranberry Orange Relish

Spinach Souffle-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Spaghetti with Chicken

Super Simple Key Lime Pie

Steak Continental

Seared Ahi with Avocado

macaroni grill's penne rustica

come one, come all!

MAKES ONE 9-BY-13 PAN OF BROWNIES.
PREP AND COOK: 90 min. COOL: 1 hr.