New Years Guacamole!!!

There are many ways to make this family tradition (new years)

This is how I have adapted it to our taste...



Ingredients


3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed

1 lime, juiced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup diced onion

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

 
 
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least an hour.   I make this in the morning and it is delectible by evening time (PARTY TIME!!!)   Also, you can not have too much fresh lime juice - in my opinion. Also again, I always double this recipe if it is for more than just me and Nate.
 
Serve with tortilla chips (lime chips are good too) and pig out for the new year!!!
 
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Pineapple Pretzel Fluff

1 cup coarsely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar, divided
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

In a bowl, combine pretzels, butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 7 minutes. Cool.

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until creamy. Fold in pineapple and whipped topping; chill until serving. Break pretzel mixture into small pieces; sprinkle over pineapple mix before serving (so pretzel mix doesn't get soggy)

Sorry I forgot to take a picture- it was a busy day! I took this to thanksgiving dinner and it was a big hit! It was so easy to make and also very cheap to make!

Be careful not to eat the whole thing! :) Enjoy!!

Cranberry Relish

Here is my recipe for

Cranberry Relish

(my FAVORITE and it freezes very well)

2 cups of washed fresh (raw) cranberries
2 cored tart apples (Granny smith work well here)
1 Orange - peel and all
1-2 cups of sugar or sugar substitute (I like it more tart, so one cup is plenty)
Cut apples and orange into small, food processable pieces. Use food processor to mince fruit ingredients. Do not process too long - you don't want mush. After fruit has been mixed well together, add sugar and stir. Cover and leave out of fridge for about 30 minutes. This gives the sugar time to dissolve to eliminate any grainy texture from sugar. After about 30 minutes, put in refrigerator - best if chilled overnight. Can be frozen also.

I do love the cranberry sauce right out of the can, (I am lame) but you can't beat this super fresh, tart relish to add to your holiday dinner.

Thanksgiving Recipes

Being the month of fabulous food and family get-togethers, why don't we all post some of our favorite Thanksgiving feast recipes? Or at least, some good ideas for some!

Michelle-- that includes you because your family makes some of the best!

:)

On that note..... I am grateful for food!

Sweet Rolls

If you are looking for the BEST roll ever, you've come to the right place. These are ADDICTING, so watch out! I used a bread machine because it makes my life easier, but you don't have to. Also, they freeze AMAZINGLY! ENJOY!!

• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup butter, softened

1. Place water, milk, egg, 1/3 cup butter, sugar, salt, flour and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough/Knead and First Rise Cycle; press Start.
2. When cycle finishes, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 12 inch circle, spread 1/4 cup softened butter over entire round. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Roll wedges starting at wide end; roll gently but tightly. Place point side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Cover with clean kitchen towel and put in a warm place, let rise 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden.

*Also...* On step 2, before rolling them up, I sprinkle oregano, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni, roll up, and let rise to make pizza rolls. Josh requests these all the time. They are amazing plain, and I have yet to try them with a cinnamon/sugar mix inside.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

This is hands-down one of the BEST chocolate cakes I have ever eaten! Don't let the zucchini scare you-- it makes the cake super moist and delicious! Next time I make this, I will try and cut down on the fat by using applesauce instead of oil. FYI- this is my new birthday cake request!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 3 cups grated zucchini
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

(the batter will look really thick and chunky
until you add the zucchini.. then it will look like the below photo)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. (I used a bundt pan- and always will from now on!!)
   
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the eggs and oil, mix well. Fold in the chocolate chips and zucchini until they are evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. (If you are using a bundt pan, you need to add an extra 10 minutes- I cooked mine for 70 minutes and it was perfect.) Cool cake completely before frosting with your favorite frosting.

I made a vanilla frosting/glaze and sprinkled some powdered sugar on the top. I've made this cake twice so far and its been a big hit. TRY IT!!!!

**Revision 11-4-10** Here is the frosting/glaze recipe I used. (Any would do, but this was a pretty darn good one!)

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 Tbls milk
• 1 tsp butter
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

-Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the rest and stir until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Eat it all :)

Orange dreamcicle cookies

This is just the orange version of my favorite cakemix cookies.

Ingredients:
Orange cake mix (I've used lemon, strawberry and devils food cake also)
2 eggs
1 container of cool whip (i also used lite here and it turns out just fine) thawed


Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Preheat oven to 350.  Make tablespoon sized balls and coat with powdered sugar.  Place on greased baking sheet and bake for 10-11 minutes.

Let cool and enjoy.  These are great to store in the freezer also - they stay nice and moist/chewy.

NOTE - orange zest can be added to this recipe, i just forgot this time.  Same thing with the lemon cake mix and lemon zest.  Delicious!

Eggplant Parmesan

I saw an eggplant in the supermarket and thought, hmmm why not make some eggplant parmesan, I haven't had that in a long time! So I found this semi healthier recipe online, and tweeked it a little because I only used one eggplant.
I followed some reviewers tips to cup the eggplant, and sweat out some bitterness by salting it with coarse salt for 30 minutes and letting it sit (on some paper towels), then rinsing and drying them, and then you can start the recipe.



It was soo tasty. I put it over some penne pasta with a little extra spaghetti sauce.

Southwest Turkey Burgers

2 lbs ground turkey

2 T. minced garlic

1/2 t. ginger

1 can diced green chilies (4oz)

1/2 fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1 t. salt

1/4 c soy sauce

1 t. fresh ground pepper

3 T. paprika

1 T. ground dry mustard

1 T. ground cumin

Mix all ingredients well and form into about 8 burger patties. Cook on the grill or in a pan.

I garnished mine with shredded cheese and cilantro guacamole (Avocado, lemon juice, cumin, fresh chopped cilantro, garlic and onion powder and salt- all to taste). Then I served with a side of sauteed zucchini squash and broccoli. mm-mmm-mmmm good!!!!! Patties freeze well!

Enjoy this delectable burger, cilantro lovers!

May theme

someone cook something already!  I need ideas and new recipes to try!!!!!!   

Lets start a theme - for the rest of May - SALAD month.      Post your favorite salad - pasta, green, vegetable, fruit, whatever, just post it so I can cook something. 

:)

Soft Molasses Cookies (aka, the best cookies you will ever eat!)

I literally could not stop shoving these cookies in my mouth- they are pretty much the best thing I have ever tasted!!!!

2 1/4 c. flour
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c. margarine
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 Tbls orange juice
1/4 c. molasses

-Cream margarine and sugar together in mixer. Add egg, orange juice, and molasses and mix well.
- Stir in dry ingredients. Chill for about 1/2 hour. (I chilled mine overnight)
-Shape into balls, roll in sugar, and flatten.
-Bake 8-10 min on 350 degrees. Let cool on pan before moving to cookie racks.

enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Roma tomato bruchetta

This was as good as some of the bruchetta we tasted in Italy.  Seriously.  It was great!

Ingredients:

crusty italian style bread (i used a fresh loaf of olive oil bread)

Olive oil

4 or 5 ripe roma tomatoes

3 large leaves of basil

1/2 clove of garlic, fresh - crushed then minced as small as you can get it

Slice bread and dip one side lightly in olive oil.  Place oil side up on baking tray (I had parchment paper on my tray, but you could use foil also) and bake for 5 or 6 minutes at 350 degrees. 

While bread is warming, cut tomatoes into small pieces and place in bowl.  Take garlic clove, crush and mince the amount desired.  I used just half because it was a giant clove.  Wash and chop the 3 basil leaves.  Mix all three ingredients in bowl.  drizzle 1-2 teaspoons of oil to help blend flavors. 

At this time, the bread may be done.  Spoon small amount of tomato mixture onto warm bread and serve/eat. 

It is so fresh and reminds me of the bruchetta we had at Tiber campsite restaurant (which was the most delicious in my opinion.)

:)

Dansk Pandekager (Danish Pancakes)

Stephan is the pancake master in our house. This is his mom's recipe.

250 g flour (2 cups)
5 dl milk (2.11 cups)
½ tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Stir or whisk above ingredients together. Let rest (with towel over bowl) for ½ hour.
Then add 2 eggs and 3 tbsp oil and stir.
Cook in pan in butter. You know when it's time to flip the pancake when it doesn't stick anymore and it's firm.
I had the best short video of Stephan flipping a pancake, but it wouldn't upload on blogger:-(
(Makes about 4-6 pancakes, depends on how thick you make them, and how big your frying pan is. Lay one on a plate, coat in your favorite jam or jelly, some powdered sugar. Put a few scoops of vanilla ice cream down the middle and fold both sides in. (this one looks messy because i forgot to take the picture before i folded it up:-) Eat with a fork and knife and you are eating like a Dane:-)

Gulerodskarbonader

I got this recipe from my friend Unni. Karbonader are meat patties, and gulerod karbonader are carrot and pork patties. I made them a while ago, and am just getting around to posting:-)


½ kg ground pork (about 1 lb)
½ kg. carrots (finely shredded) (1 1b).
1 medium/large onion (coarsely shredded)
3 tbsp flour
1 egg
1 tsp salt
½ tsp marjoram
little pepper
bread crumbs or flour for coating.

Mix all together (easier by hand).

Form into ovals, they will be about palm sized. Roll in bread crumbs (or flour).

Cook in a hot pan with oil or butter.
Enjoy! They are tasty with sauce (or gravy) as well:-)

Frikadeller

Frikadeller

½ kg. (1 lb) ground pork
4-5 tbsp flour
1 egg
1 onion
2-3 dl (about 1 cup) milk
Salt/pepper
Oil (to cook with)


Add flour, egg, onion, some salt and pepper, and milk to the ground pork. Mix and let it sit for ½ hour. Heat up frying pan with oil. Drop tablespoon (or larger) of mix into hot pan. Cook until well browned and then flip to brown the other side.

They look like flattened meatballs, and taste good, especially with some sauce (we have lots of sauces in Denmark, brown sauce is great), or you can use gravy of some sort. It's a very common Danish dish, they even eat them cold, cut up on open faced dark bread for lunch.
Yum!

Taco Soup

I used the crockpot for this, but I'm sure stove top would work just as well. Sorry for the lack of a picture, I forgot! You can use your imagination. :) I made this recipe from a combination of several and it turned out excellent!

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet dry ranch dip mix
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn
2 cups water

1. Brown beef in skillet. (I added some onion powder and a dash of Cumin to the beef. You could also cook it with a small chopped onion.)

2. Mix all remaining ingredients in crock pot. Add beef and mix well. Cover and set to HIGH on crockpot for about 2-3 hours. Serve hot with tortilla chips, sour cream, and a bit of shredded cheddar. Freezes well!

Sherry's Stuffed Shells

If you don't have this recipe already, shame on you! I figured I'd post it anyways. It has been a long-time favorite that our Mom made while we were growing up, and is a favorite in our house now. I always freeze the stuffed shells that I don't cook, and end up with almost 3 freezer meals. Easy, peasy!

Stuffed Shells

1 box jumbo shells (cooked)
4 c. cottage cheese
2 c. shredded mozzerella
3/4 c. grated parm. cheese
1 Tbl. chopped parsley
3/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 eggs

Mix ingredients well. Stuff shells. Pour some spaghetti sauce on bottom of pan. Add shells. Cover with sauce. Bake covered for 30 min. at 350. Uncover- add some extra mozz cheese on top and bake another 10 minutes (uncovered).

Enjoy!!

not a slacker

I've been out of town, so I haven't been able to post what I made a little while ago, but I will soon. It's yummy! Also, I made Key Lime Pie on thursday, but that recipe is posted in January on here. so there!

Slackers...

Isn't anyone cooking anything???  That's is, I am making banana bread again.  With chocolate chips.  That will show you all.  muaaa haaaa haa.

Grandma Aikin's Banana Bread

 This recipe makes 1 loaf and has NO EGGS! 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
3 mashed bananas

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
(can add chocolate chips or nuts 1/4 cup if desired)

Mix first 3 ingredients.  Add dry ingredients.  Put in loaf pan (greased) Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes. 

I made this with mini chocolate chips for Nate for valentine's day.  It was a hit.  It is also good plain - with out any chocolate.

Amish Breakfast casserole - or Nella's baby shower casserole

Ingredients

1 pound sliced bacon, diced
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
6 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups small curd cottage cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Mom made this using lite cheeses, cottage cheese, and turkey bacon instead of regular bacon and it was so delicious!

Directions


1.In a large skillet, cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp; drain. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.

2.Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until set and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
 
Easy and sooooo good.

recipe blog!

I found a really really good recipe blog online and wanted to share the website. All of her dishes look so mouth-watering and she explains her recipes step by step.

My Kitchen Cafe

Enjoy!

Easy Chicken Bake

I borrowed this recipe off the back of the Stove Top stuffing box. Its incredibly delicious!

1 pkg Stove Top Stuffing mix for chicken
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1" pieces
1 can (10-3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup Sour Cream
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Prepare stuffing mix as directed on box. Set aside.
2. Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and vegetables in 13x9 inch baking dish. Top with prepared stuffing.
3. Bake 30 mins or until chicken is cooked through.

The recipe says it serves six but it is so good everyone will want more!

 

  

I took these pictures on my phone and they didn't turn out as well as the dinner.  I ended up cooking the chicken a little bit before mixing it in and then only baking the dish for about 25 minutes. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

buttermilk pancakes

I had some extra buttermilk and had to use it up before it went bad, so I made these yummy pancakes. They taste like they are from a restaurant. Very good:-) I didn't take a picture, plus my pancakes are always shaped weird, but they tasted great!

1 1/2 cup flour
1 egg
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup veg. oil
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
splash of vanilla
pinch of salt

Mix together and you know what to do next.

It makes a good amount of pancakes (about 12). And it's good with syrup, marmalade (jam), and or powdered sugar. Enjoy!!

Cinnamon Bread

(I would've taken a better picture of this right as it came out of the oven,
but we were hungry and the smell of this was so heavenly!)

Dry Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 cup white sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract

Crumb mix - (you can make more of this mix depending on how sweet you like your bread)
2 Tbl white sugar
2 Tbl brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 tsp margarine

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 9x5 inch loaf pan.

2.Mix set of dry ingredients together in a bowl. Mix set of wet ingredients in a seperate bowl. Pour the mixed wet ingredients into the dry, and stir in until well mixed. Pour about half of the batter into the loaf pan.

3. Combine the crumb mix ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle about half of crumb mixture over batter in pan. Pour the rest of the batter in pan and sprinkle the rest of crumb mix over the batter. Using a knife, cut in a light swirling motion to give a marbled effect.

4. Bake for about 50 minutes. Test with toothpick. When inserted, it should come out clean. Remove bread from pan when cool enough to a rack. (If using a glass loaf pan, you may have to cook longer.) Enjoy!!!

Crisp Tart Shells

Make a batch of these and store them in a tin. They'll stay fresh for 2 to 3 weeks.

Round wonton wrappers can be substituted for egg roll wraps. Makes 1 dozen.

(You could also make even smaller squares and use mini-muffin tins instead.)

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs

6 egg roll wraps, each cut in half to make 12 smaller pieces. (mine made uneven squares)

3/4 stick (6 Tbls) unsalted butter, melted

1. Adjust oven to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray. (I didn't use any paper cups, I just sprayed the pan. It would be easier to clean up with the papers, though.) Mix sugar and cracker crumbs in a flat bowl.

2. Brush individual squares with butter, on each side, and coat in the crumb mix, pressing each side down, and flipping them over to get them covered. Fit wrappers into muffin cups/tin.

3. Bake for about 10 minutes or so, or until golden and crisp. You'll have to check them often. I over cooked mine a wee bit, but they were still tasty. Immediately turn shells out onto wire rack to cool before filling. (Tart shells can be stored in an airtight tin for up to 3 weeks)

Some different variations for the filling:

Chocolate or vanilla pudding, with fresh fruit to garnish (banana slices, fresh berries, toasted sliced almonds, toasted flaked coconut, chopped pistachios

Ice cream, could use fresh fruit or ice cream topping for a mini sundae!

Lemon curd, top with fresh raspberries

(I used chocolate pudding, with a slice of banana on each,

topped with whipped cream.

A very easy dessert that is sure to impress!)

Sauerkraut and Pork Meatballs

My mom raved over this as she went back for helping after helping. It is especially good if you also like that famous NY style "beef on wick" taste, as well!


1 1/2 lbs lean ground pork
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbls milk
2 tsp caraway seeds, divided
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
32 oz. sauerkraut, drained
1/2 cup chopped onion
6 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled. (I used turkey bacon and eyeballed the amount since I cut it before I cooked it.)


1. Combine ground pork, bread crumbs, egg, milk, 1 tsp Caraway seeds, salt, Worcestershire sauce and pepper in a large bowl. Shape into 2-inch balls. Brown meatballs in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Combine sauerkraut, onion, cooked bacon, and remaining 1 tsp Caraway seeds in slow cooker. Add cooked meatballs and gently mix around until meatballs are slightly covered (as shown above.)

3. Cover; cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH for 2-3

Tortellini Soup

This soup was ridiculously easy and quick to make.

..So easy a caveman could do it. :)

2 tsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
5 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp baking soda
approx 2 1/2 cups dried cheese tortellini (I used more)
6 ounces prewashed spinach
approx 1/8 cup Parmesean cheese
1 cup zucchini, cubed (optional)
salt and ground black pepper



In a soup pot, heat oil and garlic over medium-high heat until garlic starts to sizzle. Add Italian seasoning, tomatoes, broth, and baking soda and bring to a boil. Add tortellini (and zucchini if you like it) and return to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add spinach and Parm cheese and simmer until spinach has wilted and tortellini is tender, about 2-3 minutes longer. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a few dashes of Parm cheese on top. Enjoy!

Thai Chicken

Here it is... the legendary/award-winning Thai Chicken!

Ingredients:
1 cup olive oil
2 tsp. sesame oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
4 green onions - chopped
4 tsp. fresh minced garlic
4 tsp. lime juice
4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. tabasco

Directions:
Simmer ingredients until flavors are blended. Thinly slice 4 chicken breasts into cubes. Cook chicken and set aside. Cook thin spaghetti or penne, rinse, and drain. Top cooked pasta with chicken and spoon sauce over top. Garnish with cilantro.

You may add jalapeno peppers to increase the heat or reduce the amount of crushed red pepper to decrease the heat.

We usually serve this dish with a side of pineapple or cucumber to cool off your mouth.
Enjoy!

Jewish Challah Bread

My first attempt at real bread.  This is a sweet Jewish egg bread usually made for the Sabbath.  I made it on a Monday.  :)

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup honey
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 tablespoon salt
8 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)

Directions


1.In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over barely warm water. Beat in honey, oil, 2 eggs, and salt. Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition, graduating to kneading with hands as dough thickens. Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed. Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.

2.Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured board. Divide in half and knead each half for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky. Divide each half into thirds and roll into long snake about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Pinch the ends of the three snakes together firmly and braid from middle. Either leave as braid or form into a round braided loaf by bringing ends together, curving braid into a circle, pinch ends together. Grease two baking trays and place finished braid or round on each. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.

3.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

4.Beat the remaining egg and brush a generous amount over each braid. Sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired.

5.Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 40 minutes. Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.

This recipe will make 2 loaves like this.

Baked Potato Soup

This soup is to DIE FOR! I was craving it, even though I never liked Potato soup growing up. Anyways, this recipe was a huge hit, and was pronounced "better than Panera's" version by a few people. I got it on allrecipes, but you know me, I changed it quite a bit. I don't always measure my ingredients exact. Most of my recipes are eyeballing or to taste, so do what you judge to look right! It was good the first day, but even better the second day. So next time I will make it the day before I plan on serving it to let all the flavors set longer.

Baked Potato Soup

6 bacon strips, diced (I used turkey bacon.)

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup + 2 T. Flour

2 tsp salt

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp pepper

6 cups chicken broth ( I used 6 bouillon cubes)

4-5 large potatoes, cubed (the recipe calls for peeled, but i left the skins on)

1 can (small) cr. of chicken soup

1 1/2 cup sour cream (I used fat-free)

1 tsp hot pepper sauce (I threw in a couple extra drops)

1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded

1. Add the potatoes to 6-7 cups of water in a big pot. Cook until potatoes are "done". Add the bouillon cubes and simmer.

2. Cook the bacon until almost crispy. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onions are clear and bacon is crispy (I added some olive oil since the bacon wasn't greasy enough.) Add the flour and mix well.

3. Add the bacon/onion mix, salt, basil, pepper, cr. of chicken soup, sour cream, hot pepper sauce, and cheese and cook until ready to eat or until whenever! (I cooked mine pretty much all day on low heat.) Serve with some shredded cheese on top. ENJOY!

Chicken and Spinach Lasagna

Ingredients

9 lasagna noodles
1/2 cup butter
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (low or fat free works well here too)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups ricotta cheese ( I used low fat ricotta)
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat (i used 2 small cans of chicken from my food storage)
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions


1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water.

2.Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the butter until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in the flour and salt, and simmer until bubbly. Mix in the broth and milk, and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with the basil, oregano, and ground black pepper. Remove from heat, and set aside.

3.Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with 1/3 of the noodles, the ricotta, and the chicken. Arrange 1/3 of the noodles over the chicken, and layer with 1/3 of the sauce mixture, spinach, and the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Arrange remaining noodles over cheese, and spread remaining sauce evenly over noodles. Sprinkle with parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

4.Bake 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.

delicious.  :) 

Mustard Chicken Bake

This is the easiest recipe ever.  REALLY.

Ingredients:
Chicken (breast or tenderloins)  I like tenderloins better because they cook faster
Yellow mustard
Frenchs' french fried onions crushed

Take the chicken and coat in mustard.  Both sides.  Then place the mustard coated chicken in crushed onions until covered on both sides.  Bake on a cookie sheet at 350 for 30ish minutes - depending on how your oven cooks.

Delectible!!!!! 

Key Lime Pie

Here is a delicious recipe for Key Lime Pie (my favorite pie) on all recipes.com. I also made my own version of a crust (since we don't have graham crackers), modifying another recipe. Delicious!!
Key Lime PieI used 2 cans SCM (so glad I finally found it in this country!), and it took 13 limes to get enough juice. Low fat sour cream. I also didn't have any whip cream and it still tasted great!

Butter cookie crust I didn't use cinnamon, I cut the butter down to 5 tbsp.

Apple Crisp

I got a good deal on some apples the other day, and this was a great recipe. Sorry I took the picture after we had our dessert:-)

4 cups sliced apples (you can leave the peels on)
I used golden delicious, but you can use any kind.
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter
3/4 cup flour

Grease 8X8 pan. Put in sliced apples. Sprinkle with some cinnamon. Pour water over all.
Cream sugars and butter together. Blend in flour and some cinnamon. Sprinkle mixture evenly over apples. Bake 45 min at 350 degrees F (175 C) until apples are tender and the crust is nice and crisp.
this picture doesn't look very appealing, but it is delicious, especially served with vanilla ice cream!

Amazing Chicken Enchiladas!

I've had chicken enchiladas on the brain for a few days, and pretty much just had to have them. I got this recipe a few years ago from Allrecipes.com, but have altered it since then and made it my own. It it one of our favorites!

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken breast ( I use more to make it more filling.)
1 tablespoon margarine
1/2 onion, chopped (i omitted mine though. i don't care for onion too too much, so I used dried onion and onion powder instead)
1 tsp chili powder
1 4oz can chopped green chilies
1 can (10.75 oz) cr. of chicken soup
approx 2/3 cup sour cream
dash of cumin
1 cup shredded cheese of choice (I used Mexican mix)
8 flour tortillas




1. If you have a crock pot, use it for sure for the chicken. Cook the chicken with banana peppers rings and some juice from them, (if you have them) all day, and then shred the chicken. After that, add a forkful of chopped green chilies, a dash of cumin, couple dashes of dried onion, and a couple good spoonfuls of sour cream. ( I used fat free). Make sure you have 1/2 cup sour cream set aside. Cook the chicken for about another hour then. Melt the margarine in a frying pan, and add the chili powder and some more dried onion and also onion powder, or this is where you add the onion. If you use the onion, cook until onion is clear.

2. Add the chicken to the pan. If you don't have a crock pot, cut up the chicken in small pieces and cook it in with the onions until done. Add the rest of the can of green chilies. In a separate bowl, mix the 1/2 cup remaining sour cream, and the can of cr. of chicken soup together. Add about 3 Tbls of the soup mix into the cooked chicken.


3. In a greased 9x13 pan, spread enough of the soup mixture to make a nice layer on the bottom. Dish the cooked chicken mix into the tortillas, approx. 1/4 cup into each, and roll up, placing seam side down in the pan. (I cooked extra chicken so I could stuff the tortillas nice and full).


4. Cover the enchiladas in the remaining soup mix, using a spatula. Sprinkle the cheese on top. (I also use extra cheese.) Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for about 25 min, or until cheese is bubbly.

Bon appetit!