Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Loaded "Baked Potato" Soup
What you need:
1 1b baking potatoes (about 2) cubed
1 can (14 1/2 oz) chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 slices cooked bacon (crumbled and divided)
1 c shredded Cheddar cheese (divided)
1 green onion sliced, divided
1/4 cup sour cream
Make it:
Microwave Potatoes in large bowl on high 5 min., stirring after 2 1/2 min. Stir in broth and milk. Microwave 10 min., stirring after 5 min. Carefully crush potatoes with masher.
Reserve 2 Tbs each bacon and cheese and 1 Tbs onions for topping. Stir in remaining bacon, cheese and onions into soup.
Serve:
Topped with reserved bacon, cheese, onions and sour cream.
Makes:
4 servings, about 1 cup each (I usually double this recipe).
This was really good and very easy. I'm cooking it up tomorrow with my left over bacon.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Food Slut!
She is a great cook and I've tried a number of her recipes. She's now gone vegan, which has inspired me to try and cook 1 meatless meal a week. I'm going to be cooking up her version of Haystacks... included below (her blog is loaded with tons of recipes, not are vegan style).
Haystacks
1 cup dry lentils
4 cups water
4 cups hot cooked rice (white or brown)
assorted toppings; cheese, red onions, sour cream, jalapenos, sliced veggies, salsa, salad dressings
Combine lentils and water in medium sauce pan. Boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20-30 minutes until tender.
Serve lentils over rice and top with desired toppings.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Cheesecake
"You top it" Cheesecake
3 8 oz packages of cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 ready made Pillsbury extra large graham cracker crust (the one with the extra serving)
Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla; pour over crust. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees; continue baking 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool cheesecake then chill. Top with pie filling of your choice.
Our favorite is chocolate syrup or raspberry syrup. This is the easiest recipe I've found and we love it!
Beer Bread
Beer Bread
3 cups flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp baking powder
1 12 oz can of beer (the cheaper the better they say)
1/4 cup butter melted.
Preheat oven to 375, grease 9x5 loaf pan. Combine all ingredients except butter. Mix until well blended, pour into pan. Pour melted butter over top and bake for 45-60 minutes.
THAT'S IT!! What a fun treat for dinner... fresh baked bread that didn't take me all day.. go to love it!
Oreo Ice Cream Cake
* 1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
* 1 tub (8 oZ.)Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
* 1 pkg. (4-serving size) instant chocolate pudding (I used sugar free, although it probabley doesn't matter that much with everything else that's in this - mmmm)
* 8 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, chopped (about 1 cup)
* 12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches, unwrapped
POUR warmed fudge topping into medium bowl. Add 1 cup of the whipped topping; stir with wire whisk until well blended. Add dry pudding mix; stir 2 min. or until well blended. Gently stir in chopped cookies; set aside.
ARRANGE 4 of the ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on 24-inch-long piece of foil; top with half of the whipped topping mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining 4 ice cream sandwiches. Frost top and sides of dessert with remaining whipped topping. Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to loosely seal packet.
FREEZE at least 4 hours before serving. Store leftover dessert in freezer.
Note
The consistency of fudge topping can vary depending on what brand you purchase. If your fudge topping mixture is too thick to spread easily, stir in 1/4 cup milk.
Substitute
Prepare as directed, using any flavor of ice cream sandwiches you want!
Size-Wise
Since this indulgent ice cream cake makes 12 servings, it is the perfect dessert to serve at your next party.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Butt Chowder...HALIBUT that is...
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Chelsea's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Po Po Potatoes!!!
Mashed Potato Casserole
2 1/2 pounds potatoes, pealed and cubed
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Cook potatoes in boiling water for 20 minutes or until tender; drain and mash. Add remaining ingredients, and beat and medium speed with electric mixer until smooth. Spoon into lightly buttered 2 qt baking dish. Bake immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours. If refrigerated, let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
My girlfriend made this for Thanksgiving one year and we all loved it. This is a big hit every time I make it. Now when ever I make regular mashed potatoes I always add cream cheese and sour cream... It is soooo good.
Twice Baked Potato
4 large baking potatoes
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter softened
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 tsp salt
dash of pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives (grass hehehe... remember Keith??)
Bake the potatoes (I usually microwave them).
Cut potatoes length wise in half; scoop out inside leaving thin shell. Mash potatoes in medium bowl until no lumps remain. Add milk in small amounts, beating after each addition. Add butter, mayo, salt and pepper; beat vigorously until potato is light and fluffy. Stir in cheese and chives. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 400 for 20 min.
We love these and I always cook them for the Superbowl, but we have them for dinner often too. Jay and I love the crispy shell... Yummy.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Quick and easy Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg beaten
1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir well with a wooden spoon until smooth.
3. Take 1 heaping tablespoon and roll into a ball. Place balls on un-greased cookie sheet 1 inch apart. Press down on each ball with a fork in two directions to make a crosshatch pattern.
4. Bake in oven about 10 minutes or until cookies turn lightly golden brown.
5. Let cool slightly on cookie sheet then cool on wire racks.
yield 24 cookies.
Kellee's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Anyway, back to cookies. I bake these all the time and I'm told that they are the best chocolate chip cookies ever. I've repeatedly given out the recipe.
The secret to making perfect chocolate chip cookies though is in the temperature. The dough should be cold before cooking. Never microwave your butter to soften it. Let it sit on the counter a while. Then when the dough is mixed... stick it in the fridge for about 1/2 hour. The warmer the dough, the flatter the cookie's will be after you bake them. So to keep them plump, keep the dough colder (this usually goes for all cookie dough).
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (I always use light brown when cooking these cookies)
1 cup stick butter softened
1 large egg
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 package semi sweet chocolate chips (12 ounces) or 2 cups
1. Heat oven to 375
2. Mix sugars, butter and egg in large bowl (with beater). Stir in flour baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips (with spoon... believe me or not, but the way you mix up these cookies does make a difference).
3. Bake 8-10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.
**These cookies will turn out perfect if you follow directions precisely, but once you fiddle with them, they won't be as good... I know because I've tried.
Let's talk MEATLOAF
Meatloaf
I originally got this recipe from the betty crocker cook book, but I've made it my own.
1 pound ground meat (I usually use venison)
3/4 cup milk
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground mustard (dry)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic finely chopped or 1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 large egg
3 slices bread torn into small pieces or 3/4 cup quick cooking oats or 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs (I usually use the oats or bread crumbs).
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce or ketchup (we like barbecue sauce best).
1. Heat oven to 350
2. Mix all ingredients except BBQ sauce. Spread mixture in un-greased loaf pan. Spread BBQ sauce over top.
3. Bake for 1 t0 1 1/4 hours or until meat thermometer reads 160. Let stand 5 minutes.
Meatloaf surprise (by Aunt Kaye... Dad says Grandma Maxine used to make this also). This is really good too!
1/2 cup onions 1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 egg 1/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp salt 1/8 tsp pepper
1 1b ground meat
Combine
3/4 cup boiling water 2 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup milk 1 egg
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup potato flakes
1/4 tsp salt
Mix together
Divide burger mixture in half. Place in 9x9 baking dish (or loaf pan) and flatten out. Put potato filling. Put the rest of the burger mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.
**When Dad was here visiting we were talking about Grandma Maxine's meatloaf and he told me she would add a can of cream of mushroom soup to her meatloaf instead of milk. I'm going to try this the next time I'm making meatloaf and give it a shot.
Cute Cookie Flowers
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Brownie Chocolate Mousse Trifle
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Must try dessert
3 cups crushed vanilla waffers
1 box instant vanilla pudding (I use sugar free)
1 box strawberry jello (I use sugar free)
1 banana sliced
8 0z container of cool whip
Put 1 & 1/2 cups crushed vanilla waffers in the bottom of a 2 quart dish (I use my trifle bowl to show off layers and everyone thinks this dessert took me hours). Prepare pudding according to directions on box and layer it on top of cookies. Add sliced banana arranging it as the next layer. Place remaining cookies on top of bananas. Prepare Jello according to directions and let firm then spoon on top of cookie layer. Cover with cool whip and serve.
Italian Chicken
Italian Chicken
1/2 cup mayo (you can use a light version to save on calories)
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Dash of pepper
1 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
6-7 pieces of chicken breast (I usually use 1 1b).
Mix first 5 ingredients. Coat chicken breast in mixture. Roll in bread crumbs. Bake in 9x13 greased cake pan at 425 for 40 minutes or until golden brown.
My kids love to dip there cut up pieces in catsup and then we use the left overs on sandwiches the next day. Yummy
Monday, May 19, 2008
Kellee's Chicken Pot Pie
Prep Time:20 min...Total Time:50 min...Makes:6 servings
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup Light Zesty Italian Reduced Fat Dressing
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese, cubed
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 refrigerated pie crust (1/2 of 15-oz. pkg.)
PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Cook chicken in dressing in large skillet on medium heat 2 min. Add cream cheese; cook and stir until melted. Add flour; mix well. Add broth and vegetables; simmer 5 min.
POUR mixture into deep dish 10-inch pie plate. Arrange pie crust over filling; flute edges. Cut four slits in crust to allow steam to escape.
BAKE 30 min. or until crust is golden brown.
Kitchen Tips
Substitute
If a deep dish 10-inch pie plate is not available, pour chicken mixture into round 2-qt. casserole. Arrange pie crust over mixture; flute edges. Cut four slits in crust to allow steam to escape. Bake as directed.
This comfort food classic has 210 fewer calories, 15g less fat and 5g less saturated fat compared to a double crust pot pie made with cream cheese and regular dressing.
Simply Lasagna
1 lb. ground beef
1 egg, beaten
2-1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1 container (15 oz.) Ricotta Cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
12 lasagna noodles, uncooked
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat. Meanwhile, mix egg, 1-1/4 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese and the parsley until well blended; set aside.
DRAIN meat; return to skillet. Stir in spaghetti sauce. Add water to empty sauce jar; cover with lid and shake well. Add to meat mixture; stir until well blended. Spread 1 cup of the sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; top with layers of 3 lasagna noodles, one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture and 1 cup of the sauce. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining 3 noodles and the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1-1/4 cups mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover with greased foil.
BAKE 45 min. Remove foil; bake an additional 15 min. or until heated through. Let stand 15 min. before cutting to serve.
Or try Kellee's Miracle Lasagna - it's a bit more saucy!
Kellee's Miracle Lasagna
Ingredients
1b ground meat (I often use venison)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup water (use to rinse out rest of sauce in jar)
6 cooked lasagna noodles
1 container ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded Mozzarella
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1. Brown meat and add spaghetti sauce and water. In a 11x7 pan spread 1 1/2 cups meat sauce. Top with 3 uncooked noodles, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesian cheese and 1 1/2 cup sauce. Top with 3 remaining uncooked noodles and then add remaining sauce. Cover
2. Bake at 375 for 1 hour. Uncover and top with remaining cheese. Let stand 5 minutes.This is a perfect size for our family. Also it freezes beautifully. I usually make a double batch and freeze one before baking it. Then I have an easy meal ready to go.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
My Secret :(
This happens to be my most favorite cooking site. Go to their website and sign up for their free magazine which comes out 4-5 times a year. A new one is coming soon. These are loaded with wonderful recipes that are easy to prepare and delicious (my famous chicken pot pie came from this very site). I always check there first for recipes.
Tomorrow for church I'm cooking glazed carrots from Betty Crocker. I'll let you know how it turns out and post the recipe if it is good.
I just cooked a wonderful Banana Bread, the recipe is on the Kraft site. It is called "favorite banana bread". It is made with a brick of cream cheese... YUMMY. Anything made with cream cheese is the best!
Kel