Dipped Pretzel Sticks

Ingredients:

½ cup light corn syrup
½ cup butter
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ tsp vanilla

Directions:

In saucepan combine brown sugar, corn syrup and butter. Bring to boiling over medium heat stirring constantly. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Return to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Continue cooking stirring constantly; until mixture reaches 236 degrees F (approx 10 minutes) adjust heat as necessary to maintain a steady boil. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool 15 to 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. The mixture is easier to work with when it is completely cooled. Dip each pretzel into caramel mixture, covering about 2/3 of the rod. Let caramel drip off slightly. If not dipping in chocolate then roll caramel rod in your toppings. If you are going to dip in chocolate then after dipping in caramel place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper or non-stick foil and place in fridge until caramel hardens slightly. Melt chocolate chips in microwave for 30 seconds stir if not melted heat for 30 seconds again until you can stir chocolate smooth. Let cool slightly. Spoon chocolate over caramel rod, place back on cookie sheet if you are adding toppings or swirling a contrast chocolate on top then do so now. Then put rods back in fridge until chocolate is set. Store in airtight container between layers of wax paper in the fridge for 4 days or freeze for up to a month.

Orange Julius Drink

Ingredients:
9 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
8 ice cubes
1 tsp vanilla
9 oz. Cold water
9 oz. Milk
1/8 to ¼ cup of sugar
(for extra yumminess add a banana & some berries. Or for an extra kick of vitamin C add a kiwi)

Directions:
In blender add ice cubes and crush. Then add orange juice, water, milk, sugar, vanilla & any fruit that your adding. Blend together until smooth and frothy. Poor into glasses and enjoy!

Potato Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients:
3 medium red potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups of water

1 small onion
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
1/8 –1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/8 –1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 –1/4 tsp salt
2 cups milk
½ tsp sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup diced thin ham (I used really nice deli meat ham)
-Combine water and potatoes in pot and boil, until potatoes are tender, not mushy. Drain and keep the liquid. Set aside potatoes. In pot melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender. Watch butter so it doesn’t burn. Add flour, season with pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Cook a couple minutes. Add 1 cup of reserved cooking liquid, milk, sugar, and potatoes to onions. Stir & add cheese and ham. Over low heat simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. This is really yummy. (may add more salt, pepper & red pepper flakes if desired) (If too thick add more milk)Probably could also do this in crock pot.

Jerky

½ cup soy sauce
3 tsp garlic powder
3 tsp lemon pepper
1 ½ to 2 tsp Tabasco sauce
Slice meat into thin slices. Mix and marinate meat overnight. Put meat on lowest heat setting in oven till dry. (meat thickness ¼ in thick)

Apple Pie Caramel Apples

Ingredients:
4 Granny Smith Apples
Package of caramels
Package of white morsel chips
Cinnamon sugar
Popsicle sticks

Directions:
Wash apples and dry thoroughly. Insert Popsicle stick into the top of each apple. Unwrap caramels and place in a microwave safe dish. Add 1 TBSP of water. Heat in microwave for one minute and then stir. If not completely melted warm for another 15 seconds then stir. Continue until caramel is melted. Spoon caramel mixture onto the apples, one at a time. Scrape excess caramel off of bottom. Place on a greased(spray w/pam) cookie sheet. Place in fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. Warm morsels in microwave for 1 minute stir. Add ½ to 1 TBSP on vegetable oil. If not melted warm 15 more seconds stir, continue until melted. Spoon white chocolate mixture over cooled caramel apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Place on cookie sheet and refrigerate. Keep refrigerated until 15 minutes before serving. Slice or enjoy on stick and enjoy!

Fruit Pizza (Sharon)

Ingredients:

Sugar cookie dough (1/2 a recipe or ½ a package of the refrigerated)
Small package of Vanilla or French Vanilla pudding
Milk
½ a carton Cool whip
Fruit (kiwi, strawberries, grapes, other berries)

Directions:
Lightly spray a pie dish with cooking spray. Then press sugar cookie dough into bottom and up a little on the sides. Make sure it is very thin, because it will rise as it bakes. Bake according to sugar cookie instructions, may need to cook a little longer until it starts to brown a little on top. Cool. When cooled whip up pudding according to directions. When starts to thicken whip in cool whip. Spread mixture on top of the cookie crust. Now decorate with your fruit. Enjoy!

My Twist on Chex Caramel Corn

This recipe is so good and addicting! It is a great snack or even good for a party or to give away in little bags. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:
4 cups popped popcorn
2 cups corn Chex
2 cups rice Chex
¼ cup coconut
¼ cup butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
¼ tsp vanilla

-Heat oven to 250 degrees. Discard any unpopped kernels from the popcorn. In ungreased large pan (I just used a 9x13 casserole dish) mix popcorn, cereal and coconut. In saucepan heat butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla to boiling over medium heat stirring frequently. Pour mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on waxed paper to cool, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up. Store in airtight container.

Pumpkin seeds

2 cups seeds (cleaned)
1 ½ tbsp melted butter
1 ¼ tsp salt
Mix with butter and salt spread in shallow pan. Bake at 250 degrees until crisp 2 ½ to 3 hours.

Breakfast Casserole

Brown a package of sausage, ¼ to ½ of a diced onion, ¼ of diced green pepper.
Mix in sour cream (8 oz), ¾ cup milk, 1 package of shredded potatoes, ¼ cup shredded cheese. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees top with ¼ cup cheese.

Crunchy Tossed Salad

Ingredients:
1 head of lettuce
4 strips bacon (fried crisp and crumbled)
1/3 cup slivered almonds (toasted)
4 green onions, sliced
¾ cup chow mien noodles

Dressing:
½ cup oil
¼ cup sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper.
Dissolve sugar in vinegar, add oil, salt, pepper shake in jar and put in fridge over night or a few hours. Pour over lettuce, onions, almonds and bacon, just before serving. Top with chow mien noodles.

Monte’s Roman Bread

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp yeast
½ cup warm water
4 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
½ cup chopped onion
2 tsp salt
dried rosemary
oil and salt as needed
Directions:
Add sugar and yeast to water, stir to dissolve yeast. Add flour, salt and onion. Knead until smooth and put in an oiled bowl and let rise double. Knead down and put out flat in a greased cookie sheet 1 in. thick. Oil top of dough, let rise double, sprinkle with salt and rosemary. Bake on 400 for 20 to 25 minutes. Cut into squares and serve hot.

Stuffed Crust Pizza

Crust Ingredients:
1 TBSP yeast
1 ¼ Cup warm water
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp oil
1 tsp salt
2 ¾ to 3 ¼ C. Flour

Directions:
In mixing bowl combine yeast, warm water and sugar. Let sit five minutes then add oil, salt and flour. Knead dough for five minutes until smooth. Prepare pizza stone, spray with cooking spray and sprinkle some corn meal. Break off ¾ of dough and roll or press out to a circle that fits your pizza stone. Place on pizza stone. Cut ¼ in cubed strips of mozzarella cheese and place about ½ in from border the whole way around pizza. Then fold the flap over into the inside to cover the cheese. With remaining 1/4 of dough, roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Then with a pizza cutter cut into 1 inch wide strips. These will be your breadsticks. Place them on a sprayed cookie sheet or you can even put them in a round cake pan and let rise 20 minutes, along with your pizza.

Sauce Ingredients:
1/3 bottle of favorite pasta sauce (I just use traditional)
½ Teaspoon of Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon of onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
sprinkle of red pepper flakes (this is all dependant on how hot you want your sauce)

Combine. After crust has risen then spread pizza sauce on pizza, except not on the part that has been stuffed with cheese. Top with Mozzerella cheese and your favorite toppings. I also sprinkle the whole thing with parmesan cheese. Bake in over at 375 for 20 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is melted. The breadsticks will not cook as long they usuall only cook around 10 minutes or until golden on top. Brush them with butter and sprinkle with garlic salt.

Spanish Rice

Ingredients:
¾ cups rice
1 ¼ chicken broth
½ cup Mexican style canned tomatoes
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/8 onion
1 Tbls oil
2 Tbls parsley

Directions:
In medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add in the fresh garlic and oinion. Saute for 1-2 minutes until softened. Add in dry rice. Stir for aobut 5 minutes until rice becomes a golden brown color. Add in broth and tomatos. Add in the parsley. Stir it up and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 20 minute sand fluff with a fork. (Also good to add some black beans)

Peanut butter Cereal bars

Ingredients:
3 cups cereal (Special K or Rice Chex), lightly crushed
¾ cup peanut butter (I like the crunchy)
½ cup liht corn syrup
½ cup sugar

Directions:
Spray a 9X9 baking dish with cooling spray. In large saucepan, mix together peanut butter, corn syrup and sugar. Heat on high until edge of mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and immediately stir in cereal. Press mixture into prepared pan and let it cool completely. But into 12 spares and wrap in plastic wrap.

Healthy, Low-fat, Low-carb, yummy cookies

Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:
¼ cup brown Sugar
¼ cup white Sugar
¾ cup natural unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sifted all purpose flour
¼ cup wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1 cup rolled oats
½ cup seedless raisins

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together sugars and applesauce and vanilla. Then mix in the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. When combined, add oats and raisins. Stir until combined. On a lightly greased cookie sheet, drop dough by spoonfuls. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Low fat Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup brown sugar (could use less)
1/3 cup applesauce
3 cups oats
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ginger ½ tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking oil. Mix together the pumpkin, sugar, and applesauce. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, then add to the pumpkin and mix well. Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes.

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

1 Cup Peanut Butter
¾ to 1 Cup Sugar
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Then spoon little balls onto a cookie sheet. Use fork and make criss-cross marks on each cookie. Bake in over for 10 minutes. I then melted some chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzled them it on top of the cookies, also would be great to dip the bottoms of each cookie in the chocolate. Yum! Super easy, taste good and only have 3 ingredients.

Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes

In a crock pot combine, one can of cream of chicken soup, a half of a 30 oz package of frozen hashbrowns, onion powder, pepper, & salt to taste, 1 cup of cheese, & ½ carton of sour cream. Stir together. Place crock pot on low for 3-4 hour or high for about 1-2 hrs,until hot. I did this before church and when I came back it was perfect. (I had it on low)

Dad Recipes (Abelskiver & Rasberry Shake

Abelskiver

3 eggs (separated)
2 cups flour
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
¼ tsp nutmeg

Sift flour, soda, baking powder, & salt; mix with egg yolks, buttermilk and sugar. Fold in beaten egg whites. Cook in buttered Abelskiver pan. You will need to turn Abelskivers with a toothpick. They should be golden on both sides. Top with butter and jam or sugar.

Raspberry Shakes

In a blender place about a half a carton of vanilla ice cream about ¼ a cup to ½ a cup of raspberries (frozen or fresh) and enough milk to blend. (start out with a little milk and add until you get the consistency of shake that you would like) It is also really good to add a banana. Blend until smooth, pour into glasses and enjoy!

Delicious Healthy Breads (Low-Fat Banana Bread & Honey Wheat Bread)

Low-Fat Banana Bread

1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
½ Cup oat Bran
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
½ cup applesauce (unsweetened)
¼ up milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 mashed ripe bananas
½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 Degrees F. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray. In mixing bowl combine both flours and oat bran, baking powder and soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir well to mix. In a separate bowl whisk together the sugar, egg, applesauce, milk, vanilla, and bananas. Fold the flour mix into the wet mixture, be careful not to over mix. Pour batter into the loaf pan. Bake for 45-60 minutes, until well risen and a tooth pick into the thickest part of bread comes out clean. Cool a little and then enjoy!

Honey Wheat Bread (This is a lot like Old Grist Meal’s Bread)

3 cups warm water
2 TBL yeast
1/3 cup honey or sugar

Put ingredients in bowl and let sit for 5 minutes, it should be bubbly and yeasty smelling. Add 5 cups of whole wheat flour. Mix well and let it rise for about 30 minutes. This is called a sponge.

Add:
3 TBL oil or melted butter
1/3 cup honey or sugar
1 tsp salt
4-5 TBL vial wheat gluten (Don’t skip this!!)

Gradually Add:
2-3 cups more flour (white or wheat) until the dough firms up.
Knead until smooth and firm. ( If you are using a mixer with a dough hook you can let the mixer do the work. Or if you do not have a dough hook you can do the kneading by hand. I actually prefer this. What you will need to do is instead of adding the 2-3 cups of flour into the bowl just put it onto your counter and kind of make a little hole in the middle. Then pour your dough onto it and just start kneading in the flour. Once almost all the flour is incorporated knead for 5 minutes or so. The dough should be firm and smooth.) Then let the dough rise about 30 minutes. Then punch down and divide into 2 large or 3 medium loafs. Form and put into sprayed loaf pans and let rise another 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 24-30 minutes. Tip place a bowl of water in the oven to help the crust not get hard. Bread is done when you can tap on the top and it sounds hollow.

Mini Heroes

Mini Heroes

1 package of refrigerated buttermilk jumbo biscuits (like Pillsbury)
Slices of lean smoked ham
Shredded cheese
Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Separate out the biscuits. Press each biscuit out into a flat circle about 4 or so inches wide, it will be pretty flat and thin. Cut up the ham into 4th’s. Place a slice of ham onto each biscuit. Then spread some Dijon mustard and sprinkle some cheese. Fold the biscuit in half and crimp together edges. Place on a sprayed cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden on top. Serve with some dill relish on top.

Another delicious thing you can go with the biscuits, if you only want to make a few sandwiches is, leave them as biscuits. Place them on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar. Bake them for the same amount of time. When they come out spread a little butter on top. These are great.

Crock Pot Game Hens & Gravy

Crock Pot Game Hens

2 thawed and clean Game Hens
3 or so washed red potatoes
Baby carrots, up to you on the amount
¼ of an onion, sliced.
Salt & Pepper
1 cup of chicken broth, I use a chicken bouillon cube in a cup of water.

In crock pot place quartered red potatoes, baby carrots, & sliced onion. Then place game hens on top. Pepper and salt game hens. Then pour 1 cup of chicken broth over top. I also topped the game hens with some onion slices. Cover crock pot and cook on high for 3 ½ - 5 hours or Low 8-10 hours.(I always use a meat thermometer to make sure they are done) Before you serve them, place in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes to make them a little crispy on top. I just put them in with the rolls or corn bread. You can make a quick gravy using the juices from the crock pot. Take a cup of the juices and put in a saucepan and bring to boil. Make a slurry in a separate container of ¼ cup flour and ½ cup water and whisk together. Whisk slurry into boiling juices, keeps whisking, when it starts to thicken add about a tablespoon or so of milk. Salt and pepper to taste.

Mom's Recipes (Zucchini Bread & Banana Bread)

Zucchini Bread (Joey’s Mom)
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups zucchini (shredded)
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

Combine oil, sugar, eggs & vanilla; beat until fluffy. Combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients alternately with zucchini to fluffy mixture. Pour in greased & floured bread pans. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Makes 2 loaves.

Banana Bread (My Mom)
Mix together and set aside:
2 cups flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Cream:
¼ cup butter
¾ cup sugar
1 egg

Smash up with a fork 2 ripe bananas.

Alternate bananas and flour into the sugar butter mixture. Also add the 3 Tbl of sour milk (I just use plain milk). Mix together. Pour mixture into a buttered bread pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes. Makes one loaf.

Easy Chili Cheese Dip

Easy Chili Dip

Can of favorite Chili (I used Turkey Chili)
4 oz of Cream Cheese cut into chunks
1/8 cup of Salsa

Combine all ingredients in bowl and heat in microwave for 2 minutes, stirring every minute. You want the dip to be really warm, so if not, warm for an additional 30 seconds. Enjoy this dip with your favorite Tortilla chips. (Really food with Fritos Scoops)

Chocolate Chip Cookies & Cookie Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grandma Ruby Tracy)

Cream:
- ½ cup Shortening
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
Beat in:
- 1 egg
Add:
- 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. Flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
Stir in ½ to 1 cup chocolate chips
Using a normal spoon round out and drop cookies on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes (when starting to brown a little on top). Makes a dozen & a half.

Big Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake (my recipe, this is Joey's favorite):

Follow recipe above. On a round cookie sheet or pizza stone, dump all the cookie dough. Smooth out to a big circle about ½ inch thick, 8-9 inches in diameter. Place in oven and bake at 375 for about 20 minutes. You will know it is done because it starts to brown and crack a little on top. After cookie cools, decorate with your favorite design & frosting. I usually just write something on it & put a border.

Chicken Lasana:

Prepare:
3 C cooked diced chicken
2 C shredded cheese (cheddar)
1 carton of cottage cheese
9 cooked lasana noodles

Sauce:
Saute ¼ diced onion w/3 TBL butter
2 can cream of chicken soup
2 Tbl milk
½ tsp basil
½ tsp thyme

Pour some sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Then layer noodles and chicken and cheeses and sauce. Top with left over shredded cheese. Cook in 350 degree oven for about 30 min or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Easy Fast Donuts:

Container of the biscuit dough (like Pillsbury dough)
Separate biscuits
Cut out the centers of the biscuits (I use a washed lid of a water bottle)
Put about an inch or so of canola oil in a pan over medium heat.
The oil should be about 350 degrees.
Place the donuts in oil, one to two at a time depending on the size of your pan.
Let cook for 20 seconds and flip. Should be golden brown. Cut the first one in half to make sure it is done. If it is not you may have to adjust the temperature of the oil or the cooking time. If really done on outside and not in inside then turn down the temp. of the oil. Drain donuts on a plate covered with paper towels. When slightly cooled coat in your choice of topping. Glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 TBL of milk or water and a tsp of vanilla. Or cinnamon sugar, sugar or powdered sugar. These are delicious. If you want to make scones don’t cut out the center just stretch the dough and fry. And enjoy with honey butter, jam or cinnamon sugar.

Scones/Navajo Tacos:

1cup of warm water (not hot), then add 1 TBL olive oil (or butter or canola oil).
In separate bowl combine 1 TBL sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1 heaping TBL active dry yeast. Add liquid and fat mixture. Mix well and add a cup or so of lour, mix again, cover it and put in a warm place. Let sit for a half an hour. It should be bubbly and smell yeasty. Stir down gently and begin adding flour. You will add 2 to three more cup of flour (all together you use 3 to 4 cups of flour). Add until it becomes a soft dough, still al little sticky. Flour counter top and turn the bread dough onto it and knead it, adding flour if necessary, until the dough is smooth and silky to touch. This should take about 5 min. After kneading, let the dough rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Mean while heat a skillet over medium heat with about a ½ in of oil in the bottom. Pinch off a piece of dough, roll it into a ball and flatten it out to about a quarter to a half-inch in thickness. Place in skillet. Fry until browned on both sides. Let drain on paper towels. You can serve this with honey butter, jam, or cinnamon sugar. Or you can use as Navajo tacos.

Most Delicious Chili !

Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey)
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves of garlic crushed (I use a garlic press)
- 2 cans of Kidney beans rinsed and drained (15 oz each)
- 2 cans of diced tomatoes (8 oz each)
- 2 cans of chicken broth (10.75 oz. each)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1/8 tsp cayenne or 10 drops of Hot sauce
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1 oz dark chocolate or 2 TBL of baking cocoa powder
- I also added ¼ of a diced red pepper
Brown the ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat. Remove it with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving some fat in the skillet (If using ground turkey you will need to add some olive oil). Sauté the onion and garlic in the fat until soft (about 6 min.) In a large stockpot combine the browned meat, sautéed onion and garlic, beans, tomatoes, broth, spices and chocolate. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour. (I let mine simmer about 1 ½ to 2 hrs. You could also use a crock pot) Makes 6 servings.

Veggie Mini Loaves (This came from Amanda’s grandma’s cookbook)

1 ½ lb Ground beef or turkey, ¾ C Quaker oats uncooked. 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz), ½ C chopped onion, 1/3 C Chopped pepper, ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper, ½ C shredded cheese.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. (I sautéed the onion and the pepper in some olive oil, because we like them a little more soft and not so strong.) Combine all ingredients except cheese, mix well. Shape into six small loaves. Place into shallow baking pan. Bake 30 to 40 min. or until meat is done. Top with the cheese the last five minutes. Six servings. (I halved the recipe for my family) This was a really good and flavorful meatloaf.

Hot & Spicy Chicken Bites & Spicy Shrimp

Hot & Spicy Chicken Bites (from Ziploc® Zip’n Steam TM)

Combine in Medium or Large Zip’n Steam TM bag :
2 boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces
½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
½ teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt

Seal bag and shake to mix ingredients. Put ingredients into an even, single layer. Place bag in microwave. Cook on full power for 4 minutes (Med bag) or 3 ½ minutes (large bag) or until chicken is cooked through, with no trace of pink. If needed, continue microwaving at 30 second intervals until done. Allow bag to stand 1 minute before handling. Gently squeeze bag to distribute seasoning. Carefully open bag. Spoon 1 tablespoon of freshly-squeezed lime juice over chicken. Pour chicken and juices from bag. Season with additional salt and hot sauce.

Spicy Shrimp

Frozen shrimp
Butter or Marg.
Chili powder
Mushrooms (optional)

Melt about ½ Tblsp to 1 Tblsp of butter in pan. Then add frozen shrimp, if using mushrooms also add at this time. Sprinkle chili powder over top. Just cook on medium heat until liquid is gone and shrimp and mushrooms are done.

Chicken Quesadillas for Two

1 chicken breast
¼ of onion
¼ of pepper
chili pepper
olive oil
wheat tortillas
cheese

In a pan put a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Slice chicken breast in thin slices. Dice up onion and pepper. Place chicken in pan and brown. When chicken is browned, shred the chicken and add the onion, pepper and chili powder. Stir-fry until chicken is down and onion and peppers are tender. May need to turn down the heat. When finished cooking, place mixture on half of a tortilla. Add some cheese on top. Fold tortilla in half. Spray another skillet with oil. On medium heat brown both sides of the tortilla paying attention not to burn. With pizza cutter slice into three sections. Continue this with more tortillas. Enjoy with salsa or sour cream. Or a really good dip is some salsa and queso dip, warmed up.

Oreo Layer Cake

1 box of Pillsbury French vanilla cake mix (3 eggs, 1/3 cup oil and 1 cup water)
1 cup of crushed Oreo cookies
1 fat free chocolate pudding cup

This recipe will make a round 9-inch layer cake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare pans, spray with cooking oil and flour. Cut a round circle the size of the pan out of wax paper and place in the bottom of each pan, also spray, this will keep the cake from sticking.

Mix cake mix as directed on box instructions. When everything is mixed and incorporated fold in the crushed Oreo cookies until mixed. Then divide batter into two round cake pans. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 27- 30 minutes or until top springs back and you get a clean tooth pick. When baked take out of oven. I like to get two sheets of wax paper and pace over each cake. Then I use the other cake pan and flatten out the top of each cake by pressing down. This will make the cake level and more easy to layer and decorate and will make it so you won’t have to trim it. When cakes are cooled run a knife along the edges to make sure it is free then transfer the first cake layer onto what ever you are going to serve it on. Remove the wax paper. Then you will need to spread the pudding on top of the first layer, don’t go all the way to the edge leave about ¼ of an inch. Then transfer the next cake layer on top. Remove the wax paper. Now you are ready to frost the cake however you would like. You can decorate with Oreo cookies if desired. Tip: To keep surface clean when icing, place little pieces of wax paper under the edges of the cake. This will keep surface clean, just remember to remove before you finish any decorations at the base of the cake. I keep the cake refrigerated, just because of the pudding.

Cinnamon Rolls & Frosting

Cinnamon Rolls (I got this from my mom)

Scald and cool: 1 cup milk & 1/3 cup butter (I just do this in the microwave, heat in microwave and stir every 30 seconds for 1 ½ min to 2 min. till all melted and hot) then I place in the fridge to cool while I do mix the rest of the ingredients)

Dissolve in glass: ½ cup warm water, 2 pkgs or 2 Tblsp. Yeast, 1 Tblsp Sugar (I let this rest and become foamy)

-Use mixer to mix yeast mixture, 2 beaten eggs, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tsp. Salt, cooled milk mixture, 4 to 5 cups of flour (add flour slowly).
-Form dough into a big ball, place in bowl, cover and let rise 45 minute to 1 hour. Punch down and turn out onto floured counter. Kneed dough until soft and smooth adding a little flour if necessary. Then roll dough out. Spread melted margarine or butter on top of dough. Sprinkle dough with cinnamon, I also sometimes sprinkle brown sugar. I have also made these with spreading raspberry jam instead of cinnamon. After sprinkling cinnamon roll dough up and cut (tip: use floss to cut into cinnamon rolls, place floss under dough and pull tight and it will slice the dough without mashing it down) Place rolls in greased pan. Cover let rise 15-20 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees or until lightly browned on top. When cooled a little, frost with confectioner frosting.



Confectioners’ Frosting

Ingredients: (enough for 1-2 doz cookies or cupcakes)

- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- ½ cup room temp margarine or butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ Tablespoons milk
If you would like fluffier frosting instead of ½ cup of marg, us ¼ cup marg & ¼ cup of shortening.

Directions:
Place room temperature butter or margarine in bowl, cream with mixer until smooth. Add vanilla extract. With mixer on slow, gradually add powdered sugar. Add milk and beat until frosting is fluffy. Cover frosting with plastic wrap until ready to use. Can store in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Add food coloring if desired. By doubling the recipe you will have enough frosting for a cake.

Crock Pot Roast & French Dip Sandwiches

I thought that I would have a blog with the recipes that I post on my family site. So here are the past recipes that have been featured. Enjoy!!

Crock Pot Roast & The next day French Dip Sandwiches

Roast:

In crock pot combine:
1- 3 to 4 pound roast (beef)
1 cup of water
1 beef bouillon cube
3 quartered red potatoes (or more depending on how many people)
A few slices of red onion
¼ cup of diced or crushed tomatoes (this is to keep the meat moist & tender)
Sprinkle of onion powder

Place all ingredients in crock pot and cook on high for 5 hours. I always test the inner temperature of my meat with a meat thermometer. It should be at least 180 degrees. When finished put roast on plate & potatoes in bowl. Keep all the juices! Use one cup to make the gravy. In sauce pan, put the one cup of juice over medium-high heat. Mix up in separate container ¼ cup flour & ½ cup water. Slowly add this to the beef juice with a whisk. When it starts to thicken turn down heat to medium and add a tablespoon or so of milk. Salt & Pepper to taste. The remaining beef juice you will use when making the French dip sandwiches.

French Dip Sandwiches

Remaining beef roast
¼ cup of Soy Sauce
1 can of beef stock (I used bouillon cube & 1 cup of water)
1/2 cups of water
Remaining juice from roast
1 bay leaf (I did not use this & still was good)
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp pepper

Put all ingredients in a crock pot and simmer for 4-5 hrs on high. You can do longer or a little shorter and can do on low. It is just reheating the meat and making it more tender & flavorful. When ready to eat, toast your favorite hoagie or hard roll bun. Place shredded French dip meat on sandwich. You can also add cheese or horseradish or peppers, whatever your heart desires. Serve with a side of the French dip juices.