Snowman Donuts

I saw these on a blog I happened across and couldn't resist! They are so funny and would make great Xmas neighbor gifts or a fun party treat. All they're made of is powdered donuts, candy corns and candy eyes. I don't know if candy eyes are available just anywhere, but doing a quick search online, I found them really cheap. So all you'd need to do is just plan ahead a little.

"Your Mama Loves You" Lasagna

This is the best lasagna in the world, I swear. You all have to try it and let me know what you think. No more Stauffer's frozen lasagnas... they taste like spaghettiOs to me now! It's the Apple Blossom Reception Center's recipe. They cater weddings and such. 

"Your Mama Loves You" Lasagna

1 pound Italian sausage (they use Colosimos, but I just use what's available)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon basil leaves

1 teaspoon salt

2 1-pound cans diced tomatoes (I love using the italian style)

2 6-ounce cans tomato paste

1 cup water

2 eggs

3 cups cream-style small curd cottage cheese (a 24 oz. container)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

10 ounces lasagna noodles (I use the oven-ready ones you don't have to boil and it saves tons of time!)

1 pound Mozzarella cheese, sliced very thin (I slice it with my Kitchen Aid attachment, but I think shredded would work okay)

Brown meat slowly; drain off excess fat. Add next 6 ingredients. Simmer, covered, 15 minutes; stir often. Beat eggs in a medium bowl; add remaining ingredients, except noodles and mozzarella.

Separately cook noodles in boiling water until tender; drain; rinse. (Unless using oven-ready noodles, of course!)

Layer half the noodles in 13x9x2-inch baking dish; spread with half the cottage cheese filling; add half the mozzarella cheese and half the meat sauce. Repeat. Top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 degrees about 30 minutes (or assemble early and refrigerate; bake 45 minutes). Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serves 8-10.

Peach Pie

Another thing I made for Brenda's family and they loved it as well. I do too love it!!!

Peach Pie

2 Marie Callendar pie crusts baked and cooled

Cream Cheese Filling:

1 8oz. package cream cheese, room temp.
1 cup powdered sugar
1 pint whipping cream

Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth, add whipping cream a little at a time and beat until very stiff. Pour into cooled pie shells. Refrigerate until ready for peaches.

Peach topping:

1 3oz. box Peach Jello
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. Cornstarch
1 cup water

Bring to a boil and maintain boil for 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Add fresh diced peaches and put on top of cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Best Mexican Chicken

I made this for my friend Brenda and her family the other night and I got great reviews. It's super easy and mostly from a can. Hope you like it.

Best Mexican Chicken

1-2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn
1 can olives, drained and sliced
1 envelope taco seasoning
chicken tenders (however many you need)


Mix all together and put into a greased casserole dish or oven bag. Cover and bake at 300 for a couple of hours or more. Put over rice and serve with sour cream, cheese, and guacamole. Makes a ton. I recommend adding as much chicken as you can because you will use up the sauce and have plenty of leftovers.

Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

This is an oldie, but a goodie. I made it for dinner last night and forgot that meatloaf is okay once in a while. Pair it with a baked potato, rolls, and a veggie and it's a great comfort food. Thanks for reminding me about it ShaLayne!

Prep: 10 min. Total 1 hour 10 min

2 eggs, beaten
2 lb ground beef
1 pkg (6 oz) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 cup water
½ cup Barbecue Sauce, Divided

Preheat oven to 375. in small bowl, beat eggs lightly with a fork. Place ground beef, stuffing mix, water, beaten eggs and ¼ cup barbecue sauce in large bowl. Mix all ingredients with wooden spoon until blended. Shape meat mixture into an oval loaf in 13 x9-inch baking dish. Using a large baking dish makes it easier to pour out and discard excess fat. Top meatloaf with remaining ¼ cup barbecue sauce.

Bake 1 hour or until cooked though—internal temp should be 160 degrees

Earthquake Cake

This is EVIL good, I warn you! I always have people begging me to make it and it's become a family classic...

2/3 cup shredded coconut

2/3 cup pecan gems

2/3 cup chocolate chips

1 (18 oz.) box German chocolate cake mix (your favorite brand)

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese (room temperature)

1/4 lb. (1 stick) butter or margarine (room temperature)

1 lb. (usually half a bag) powdered sugar

Sprinkle the coconut, pecan gems, and chocolate chips over the bottom of a sprayed or greased 9x12 inch cake pan.  Prepare the cake, following the package directions, then pour batter into prepared pan.  In a saucepan, melt the cream cheese with the butter/margarine, then stir in the powdered sugar.  Spread or pour over top of the cake batter.  Spread topping a bit thicker at the edges.  Place in a preheated 350º oven and bake for 40-50 minutes.

This is a very rich dessert and could serve 20-30 people.  The ratio of the first three ingredients is pretty close to ideal, but this is not a "critical mass" recipe and just about everything could be changed, left out, or substituted. 

(The first image is after I poured the topping over the cake batter before baking. When baking, it kind of cooks down through the cake and leaves you with a gooey, crunchy, heavenly bottom! ...okay, and leaves ME with a big bottom...)

Sugar Cookie Cake

This is originally called White Texas Sheet cake, but with a few alterations and Rhett's creative mind....we get Sugar Cookie Cake. This is Rhett's favorite cake and so of course I made it for his birthday!!!


Sugar Cookie Cake:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 cup butter

1 cup water

1/2 cup sour cream

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour jelly roll pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine butter and water; bringto a boil, stirring occasionally. Add to flour mixture, stirring to combine. Stir in sour cream and eggs. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 22-25 minutes.

Spread WARM cake with Butter Frosting.

Butter Frosting:

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cup powdered sugar

In a medium saucepan, combine butter and milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Whisk in vanilla extract. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.

Chicken & Vegetable Soup

This is a very easy soup to put together. I like to make this to have in the fridge on those busy weeks. It's an easy lunch and a great way to eat all of those veggies. I don't like potatoes in mine, and sometimes I like to add diced zucchini. I have also swapped the chicken for hamburger. It's yummy that way too!!


1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic
** cook onion in 1 TBSP butter.
When translucent, add garlic and cook for 1 min.

8 cups water
2 extra large Knorr chicken bouillon
2 med. carrots -chopped
2 stalks celery - chopped
1- 15 oz. tomatoes - cut up
** add and cook for 15 min.

1- 15 oz. french style green beans
4 or 5 cooked potatoes - diced
** add and cook for 10 min.

4 cooked chicken breast - cut up
1- 15 oz. white navy beans
** add and cook for 10 min.

Seasonings:
1 TBSP Basil
3/4 tsp. Pepper
1 TBSP Salt

Triple-Tier Brownies

1 pkg. fudge brownie mix (13x9)
1 pkg. milk chocolate chips (11 1/2 oz.)
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups rice krispy cereal
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz)

Prepare and bake brownie mix. Cool. In a large saucepan, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cook over low heat until blended. Stir in cereal and set aside. Spread frosting over brownies, then spread rice krispy mix on top. Chill for at least 30 min. before cutting. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 5 dozen

**These are very rich, I cut them in small bite size pieces.**

BBQ pork ribs...

BBQ Pork Ribs

Some country style boneless pork ribs ($6-7.00)...however many you need. Season them with salt and pepper and a little garlic powder, brown in oil on all sides. Place in baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Mix together:

1 bottle Kraft honey bbq sauce ($.79)

1 can coke ($.50)

Pour over ribs. Make more sauce if needed.

Bake in a 275 degree oven for 3 or more hours. Perfect for after church or after YW or YM night...waiting for you when you get there. Serve over rice and my favorite vegi with it is grean beans. YUM...Super good and not too spendy!!!

Chewy Granola Bars

I found these while blog stalking one day and I wish I could remember where so I could give credit--they are fun to make because the kids can help. Lots of dry ingrediants that are easy to clean up. Fun treat to try.

Chewy Granola Bars
Chewy Granola Bars Recipe:
2 1/2 c. Oats - quick rolled oats
1/2 c. Rice Krispies
1/4 c. coconut
1/2 c. M&M minis
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Add all of the ingredients and mix together until combined. Press into a square 8×8 pan. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and score into bars. Let it set completely and then cut into bars. For thinner bars, press mix into a 9×13 pan. They seem to set a little better in the 9×13 pan.

Cafe Rio Chicken Tortilla Soup

I haven't tried this yet, but it sounds really good especially on a cool day. Since it's still 100 degrees here, I'm going to save it or make it when we head to Utah.


3 C chicken Broth
2 cans tomatoes (28 oz)
1 can green chili's (4 oz)
1/2 C enchilada sauce
3 cloves garlic
1/2 an onion chopped
dash of cumin
salt and pepper to taste
cooked & shredded chicken breasts
cilantro
limes cut in sections


Simmer all above ingredients, except limes. squeeze a least one lime in each bowl ( or use lime juice and simmer with other ingredients). The lime is the flavor that makes the soup! at least for me it is.You can also add any of the following you like:Grated cheese tortilla chips (lime tortilla chips are good)also freshly cooked tortilla shells are great!sliced avocados, sour cream I am sure there are many other things you could add but these are favorites.

Favorite Fettuccine Alfredo

17 oz uncooked fettuccine or any other package of pasta (I prefer linguine)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp salt
Dash of pepper
Chopped fresh parsley
Cook pasta as directed on package. While pasta is cooking, heat butter and cream in sauce pan over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter is melted. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper. Continue stirring until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Drain pasta and cover with sauce. Mix until well coated. Sprinkle with parsley.
-Notes-
I have never actually used the parsley. The sauce is rich and a little goes a long way. We also like to sprinkle chicken with garlic salt and grill on the outdoor grill (if weather permits) or the George Foreman and then serve with the pasta.

Chocolate Frosting

1/3 cup margarine or butter (I always use butter)
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. milk
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar (I used heaping measurements, add more powdered sugar for thicker frosting)
Melt butter and stir in cocoa. Add vanilla and milk. Gradually add powdered sugar until it reaches desired thickness. Add more milk 1 tsp at a time if too thick.

Salisbury Steak

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 TBSP dried onion
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
4 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
4 TBSP water
4 tsp. cornstarch
nonfat cooking spray

1. Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, onions, and 1 cup beef broth in a bowl; combine well. Form meat into 4 oval patty's. (I like to make mine smaller, and do about 6)

2. Coat skillet with nonfat cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium flame. Brown patties on both sides.

3. Add remaining beef broth and mushrooms. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and cover. Simmer until desired doneness.

4. Remove patties; keep warm. Again, heat mixture to boiling; mix in water and cornstarch and cook until thickened. Serve sauce over patties.

Serves 4

food exchanges:
1 protein, 1 starch, 1 vegetable

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

This is a recipe that was given to me by my friend Michelle, so I can't take the credit for it. They are the best cookies ever!!!!

1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Brown Sugar
2 tsp. Baking Soda
2 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 1/2 cups Flour
Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Mix all of the above ingredients except the Peanut Butter Cups. Roll dough into balls. Bake the balls in a mini muffin pan. Bake at 350 for 7-8 min. While the cookies are baking, unwrap the peanut butter cups (put them in the fridge before, so they are easier to work with) After the cookies are done, press peanut butter cup into the cookie. Cool.

Sourdough Burger

This is more an idea than a recipe--we like Jack in the Box's Sourdough Sandwiches. I like Chicken and The Hubby likes the Hamburger, so we do our own version at home. It's a fun way to spice up Hamburger night.


Sourdough Bread
Hamburger patties or Chicken patties
1-2 slices Bacon per sandwich
1 slice Kraft Singles Swiss Cheese per Sandwich
lettuce
tomato


Grill meat of your choice. Toast sourdough bread in toaster oven or broiler with a little butter--it burns easily so watch it. Cook bacon to desired crispness (I do mine in the microwave-I hate grease splatters). Melt cheese on burgers and build your sandwich. The kids even like it.

Chicken Spaghetti

I tried this for dinner tonight and it got mixed reviews. My Hubby didn't like the peppers, but I thought it gave it good taste. This recipe made a ton though. We'll have leftovers for a while. I used Cream of Chicken instead of mushroom and left out the pimento, but otherwise it was really easy!

2 cups cooked chicken

2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup

2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup finely diced green pepper

1/2 cup finely diced onion
1-4 oz jar diced pimentos, drained

3 cups dry spaghetti, broken into two inch pieces * I used a 13 oz pkg of whole wheat

2 cups reserved chicken broth from pot

1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 additional cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Cook and cut up chicken. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar. Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil.)

Decadent Chocolate Truffles

These are so fun and so easy! I often get requests for these and I also love to make them for gifts or thank you's. They're also fun for kids to help with - my daughter loves to help me roll them into the different toppings.

(It says it makes about 6 dozen, but I guess I make mine bigger because I usually get about 60)

3 cups (18 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips

1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Original or Creamy Chocolate Sweetened Condensed Milk (I've never been able to find the chocolate one, so if any of you are able to use it in this recipe, let me know how they turn out!)

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Ideas for coatings: Finely chopped toasted nuts, flaked coconut, chocolate sprinkles, colored sprinkles, unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered sugar, colored sugars, etc.

In large saucepan melt chips with Eagle Brand Condensed Milk. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour into medium sized bowl. Cover and chill 2 to 3 hours or until firm. Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in desired coating and/or decorate with frosting and candies. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.

Easy Crock-Pot Italian Chicken

This is one of those recipes that I make often because it's so good and one of the rare dinners that my kids don't pick at and complain about. They love it!

4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 packet Good Seasons Italian dressing mix

1/4 c. butter (optional)

Spray crockpot with non-stick spray. Combine soup, cream cheese, and dressing mix. Pour over chicken in crockpot. Cook all day on LOW heat or on HIGH heat approximately 4 hours or until chicken is soft. Shred chicken and serve over noodles or rice.

(Variation: Sometimes I add a medium container of sour cream or add an extra can of cream of chicken, depending on how "saucy" I want it. I like to serve it on top of whole wheat egg noodles).

Tortellini...

I thought that for each meal I post I will try to give an estimate on the cost too. I always find it helpful when you really know how much your dinner will cost you in comparison to eating out or ordering pizza. It motivates me to cook more.

Okay, so I know I posted this on my blog a long time ago but I absolutely love that this dish is so simple. How many dinner recipes do you have that require 5 ingredients or less? Not many I'm sure. This dinner is so delicious and so easy you will flip with excitement. And the best part is, the kids will love it!!!

Tortellini

1 bag tortellini, cooked and drained $3.00

Bertolli marinara sauce in burgundy wine $3.49

Bertolli alfredo sauce $3.49

After I have drained the pasta, I will add some marinara and alfredo sauce until it's coated. There will usually be some leftover sauce depending on how much tortellini you use. Just use your best judgement on this one.

I put the tortellini in a baking dish that has been sprayed and then I put provolone cheese slices ($3.99) on top. I bake it until the cheese is melted and gooey!

We love the Albertson's bake at home baguette bread with this. I will usually buy 4-5 loaves at a time and store them in my freezer. If they don't have any out, they will get you some from the freezer to buy...they are usually about $1.59/ea. Total cost comes to about $16.00 for 6-8 servings and some leftover sauce and cheese for another day. Enjoy!!!

Make Ahead Lasagna

Make Ahead Lasagna

1 lb ground beef
1 package Spaghetti Sauce mix (McCormick)
2 6oz cans tomato paste
1 box Lasagna Noodles
8 oz mozzarella cheese
6-9 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Brown 1 lb ground beef; drain fat. Add Spaghetti Sauce Mix, 2 cans (6 oz) tomato paste and 4 ½ cups water. Cover and simmer 10 min. in a 13 x 9 baking dish, spread 1 ½ cups sauce. Arrange a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles over sauce. Top with some sauce and half of 12 oz container of cottage cheese, half of 1 pkg 8 oz mozzarella cheese, and 3 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese. Top with another layer of noodles, sauce and cheeses. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Bake in 350 degree oven 45 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

Yummy Salad

This is from ShaLayne's kitchen--We had it at Bunco last month and I'm hooked. I made a big one and ate it everyday for about 10 days. Luckily nobody else in my family is a fan of salad so I got it all to myself! I don't know what it's called so to me its just . . . .

Yummy Salad

1 Bag Baby Spinach
Romaine Hearts (3 pk)
Feta Cheese (tomato & basil) I couldn't find it, so I just used regular Feta
Bacon - cooked and crumbled (I used the bottled bacon it was a lot easier)
cashews - I chopped them, so they blended into the salad, instead of falling to the bottom.
Craisins
grated swiss cheese

***Do not add bacon & nuts until ready to serve***

Dressing:
1 1/2 C. Canola Oil
3/4 C. White Vinegar
1 1/2 tsp.
Poppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
3/4 tsp. Dry mustard
3/4 C. Sugar
1 1/2 tsp. dried onion

**It's better if you mix the dressing and let it set in the fridge overnight before serving.**

Grilled Sesame Chicken

This is our all-time favorite marinade for chicken...fresh ginger root is key to this tasting great!!

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup soy sauce

1/2 Cup olive oil

1/2 Cup white cooking wine or chicken broth.

1/2 Cup chopped green onions

4 tbsp minced fresh ginger root

2 tbsp minced fresh garlic

2 tbsp ground mustard

2 tbsp sesame seeds

dash of sesame oil (optional)

Place about 4-6 chicken breasts in a gallon ziplock bag or bowl... It is best if it marinades overnight...but needs at least 4-6 hours.
After you grill it, you can sprinkle green onions & sesame seeds on top. Discard marinade...I know you all know that, but I thought I better add it...

*for a really "Martha Stewart" look... Slice green onions lengthwise & immerse them in ice cold water, with ice in the bowl & they will curl up. Serve chicken breasts on a platter of curled green onions! Impressive for the in-laws.

No Fail Yeast Bread

This is for the Bread making impared--like me. Anything that needs yeast seems to difficult for me, but this bread is way easy!

No Fail Yeast Bread

Recipe makes 4 loaves.

5 cups warm water
¼ cup oil
1 ½ tablespoon salt
1 cup honey or ¾ cup sugar
3 tablespoon yeast
3 tablespoon dough enhancer, (optional)
11 ¼ cups all purpose flour

This recipe is easiest if a large mixer is used if a mixer is unavailable dough may be kneaded by hand.

Combine water, oil, salt, sugar (or honey) and dough enhancer. Add yeast, mix. Stir enough flour to make a soft dough. Flour hands and remove from mixer. Knead for 8-10 minutes.

Divide into 4 parts. Shape each part into a loaf and place into grased loaf pans. Cover and allow to rise until dough is 1 inch above pan.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake 30 min.

NOTE: a nice variation is to make sweet rolls. Take 1 or 2 of the pieces of bread dough divided to make a loaf. Roll each portion of dough out into a 14 x 8 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Brush with 1-2 tablespoons softened butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Roll up dough. Cut into 1 inch slices and place on greased baking pan. Allow to rise until double in bulk. Bake as above.

Extreme Toasted Marshmallow Candy Bar Rice Crispy Treats

This is a fun dessert to use up small candy bars from Halloween, Easter, or whatever holiday is close. Don't make if you're on a diet! When I make them I usually use a cookie sheet instead of a 9 x 13 pan and they are perfect! I got this recipe from www.pickypalate.blogspot.com

12 Cups toasted rice crispy cereal
2 10.5 oz bags mini marshmallows
6 Tablespoons butter
1 Cup chocolate chips
3 Cups mini marshmallows
10 mini Twix candy bars, chopped
10 mini Snicker candy bars, chopped

1. Prepare rice crispy treats according to directions on the cereal box, I doubled recipe. Press into a 9X13 inch baking dish. It will be filled close to the top.

2. Preheat oven's broiler and position top rack in middle of oven not top (if rack is too close to the broiler, the marshmallows burn instead of slowly turning golden). Sprinkle chocolate chips over rice crispy treats. Sprinkle 3 Cups mini marshmallows over top. Broil in oven just until marshmallows start to puff and turn golden. Watch very carefully, it happens quick!

3. Remove from oven and press chopped candy bars over toasted marshmallows. Let cool for 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!!

Lime Cilantro Rice

INGREDIENTS

3 tsp. butter

1 lime, juiced

1 cup basmati rice

1 1/2 cups water

3 tbsp. chopped cilantro, or more as desired

DIRECTIONS
1.Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.
2.Add juice from half of the lime and rice, fry while stirring for 1-2 minutes.
3.Add water and bring to a boil.
4.Reduce heat, and cook, covered, until tunnels form in rice and water is fully absorbed.
5.Add juice from the other half of the lime and more water if needed. Carefully stir and fluff the rice.
6.Add cilantro as desired and serve.