Pizza

So my friend is known for her yummy homemade pizza and she shared her recipe with me, and even taught me a few tricks of the trade. We have started a new tradition of pizza and movie night on fridays and the kids are loving it!

I think thus far topping wise my favorite is the veggie loaded pizzas, peppers, onions, tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, you name it we throw it on. SO good! The kids like the basic ham and pineapple, but soon we will try a bbq chicken one

too!

The secret honestly is the oven temp. High and fast, seems to do the trick. Here is the recipe I use:

Pizza

Dough

Dissolve 1 tsp sugar in 1 cup warm water and 1 T yeast. Wait for it to bubble (I do it in the blender). Add 1 t sale, 1 T oil, 2 1/2 cups flour. It always takes more flour. Let it mix and add more flour until it pulls away from the sides and 'cleans' the sides off. You can't really over knead the dough. It can be sticky. Put it on a floured surface and let rise for 10 to 15 minutes. Punch it, roll out to fit pan. I grease my pans and dust them with cornmeal. Roll the edges of the pizza up to form the crust. (She said they have even rolled cheese into the crust to make it a cheese filled one. Yum.

Sauce for one pizza

1 small can tomato sauce

1 t Italian seasonings

1/2 t garlic salt (I use garlic powder and add a bit of salt separately)

1/2 t oregano

I also add some ground pepper. A few grinds of it.

Then you just add sauce cheese and toppings. We bake pizza at a high temp. 480 for 12 to 14 minutes.

Oriental Ramen Broccoli Cole Slaw

This recipe is sort of a spin on the traditional oriental salad we all remember. I love it though. I am a fan of anything with broccoli slaw, and of course edamame!

2 (3 ounce) packages beef-flavor ramen noodles

2 (8 1/2 ounce) packages broccoli coleslaw mix

1 cup toasted slivered almonds

1 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 bunch green onion, chopped

1 cup edamame

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup oil

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

Before opening noodles, crush into 1 inch pieces. Open packages and keep one flavor packet. Toast almonds and noodles in 2 tablespoons of oil, make sure not to burn. Let cool. Mix broccoli slaw, with noodles, almonds, sunflower kernels, green onions, and edamame.

In a separate bowl combine sugar, oil, vinegar, and flavor packet from noodles. Pour over slaw, cover and chill up to 24 hours. Toss before serving.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping

These are so yummy. My friend made them the other day...I keep wishing I had one right now. Yum. She did mention that she wishes there wasn't so much butter. She thought about making a simple graham cracker bottom next time since it would require less butter.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel topping, recipe follows
1/2 cup caramel topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.



Streusel Topping:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

| Microwave Caramels |

I am not kidding when I say these are way good! And come on...six minutes in the microwave. Can't beat that! Figured I would share so you all could enjoy of the goodness!

5 Tbl. butter

1/2 c. light corn syrup

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. packed light brown sugar

1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

Instructions:

Put all ingredients in a large, microwave safe, bowl. Microwave for 6 minutes, (I did mine for 5 min 30 sec.) stirring every 2 minutes. Spray an 8''x8'' dish (or a 6x8 since that's all I have) with cooking spray and pour mixture in. Let cool and cut. Wrap in wax paper.

recipe and photo from: http://eatcakefordinner.blogspot.com/2012/02/super-easy-microwave-caramels-real-deal.html

Cheesecake bars

I need to post this recipe so I don't forget it! I make a cheesecake pie recipe and this is adapted from that to make a larger recipe that works well for baby showers and such!

Crust:
3 cups crushed graham crackers
1 and 1/2 sticks of butter, melted
6 T. Brown sugar

Mix all together and press into a cookie sheet. I use a metal measuring cup to press it flat. Let chill in fridge for 30 min before topping with cheesecake.


Cheesecake:
2 pkgs cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups sour cream
4 tsp. vanilla
2 (8 oz) tubs of cool whip

Beat cream cheese until smooth, gradually beat in sugar. Blend in sour cream, vanilla, then cool whip in that order. Spread over graham cracker crust.

Top with fresh fruit, or pie filling

| Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie Cups |

- 1 can of reduced fat biscuits (10 count)
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can reduced-fat cream of chicken soup
- 2/3 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of frozen mixed veggies (I use broccoli, cauliflower, corn, peas...anything)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper


1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Separate biscuits and place each biscuit in a cup of a lightly greased 12-hole muffin pan, pressing dough up sides to edge of cup.

3. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, chicken soup, veggies, cheddar cheese, parsley flakes, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.

4. Evenly spoon chicken mixture into prepared biscuit cups.

5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Remove from oven. Place muffin pan on a wire rack and let set for 2-3 minutes. Serve at once.

I doubled this recipe. We like leftovers. It was really yummy, and fairly quick too.

One-pot Chicken & Penne Parmesan

I couldn't figure out what to make for dinner last night so I pulled out a bag of penne, and found this recipe. It was SO good. I altered it a bit since I didn't have the veggies it called for. Seriously SO SO SO GOOD! Bryan couldn't stop telling me how good it was ;) (maybe that is because he rarely gets a made from scratch meal these days)

1 T Butter or margarine
3/4 lb. boneless, skinless ckn breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1-3/4 cups (14 oz can) chicken broth
1/2 package (8 oz) Penne Rigate, uncooked
1 pkg (16 oz.) frozen broccoli, carrot and cauliflower mix (I used fresh cut carrots and frozen green beans)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

In 5 qt saucepan over medium heat, cook chicken till no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add broth; heat to boiling. Add uncooked pasta, veggies, and pepper, stirring to coat pasta with liquid. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 13 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or till pasta is barely tender and most liquid is absorbed. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together soup, milk, and 1/2 C cheese till smooth; stir into chicken mixture. Heat till mixture just comes to a boil; sprinkle with remaining cheese.


Serves 8. Or 2 if you are hungry :)

Rolo Brownie Bites with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

These are SOOO good. I made them the other night for a party. Not anything too grand done with this recipe, but super yummy. Just the way I like it!

1 box fudge brownie mix plus necessary eggs, oil & water per package instructions (or your favorite homemade recipe) 


24 Rolo candies plus extras for the cook's snack 


4 TBS. butter, softened at room temperature 


4 oz. cream cheese, softened at room temperature 


2 TBS. caramel sauce 


1 cup confectioners sugar

Remove all the wrappers and refrigerate the Rolo candies. Pre-heat oven to 325F. Prepare brownies according to package directions. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray and fill each cup 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and immediately press a Rolo, smaller side down, into the center of each brownie bite until the top of the Rolo is even with the top of the brownie bite. Cool for a couple of minutes then carefully remove the brownie bites from the pan to a cooking rack. Allow to cool completely.

To make the frosting, whip the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the caramel sauce and blend. Add the confectioners sugar and whip until creamy and smooth. Using a pastry or plastic bag with a piping tip, pipe the frosting onto the top of each brownie bite. Chill in the refrigerator to set the frosting a bit before serving

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

I made these tonight for Cinco de Mayo. They were SO yummy. I would probably use this same recipe to make enchiladas the next time I do. It had such a good flavor. YUM.


1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions

2 C shredded cooked chicken
1 C grated pepperjack cheese

small corn tortillas
kosher salt
cooking spray


Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it's soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.
You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge. 

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or come unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges.

Then roll it up as tight as you can.

Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister and sprinkle some kosher salt on top.

Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.

Dip 'em in salsa, sour cream, guacamole.


Recipe by OurBestBites.com

Fresh Pea, Herb and Cheese Salad

I don't know how else to describe this other than saying it was AMAZING. I don't really like peas, they are too squishy for my liking, but I loved this. 

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups water
2 cups freshly shelled peas (use frozen if you have to)
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup fresh cheese (I used mozzarella, but I think feta or blue would be good too))
salt and pepper to taste
freshly chopped basil and oregano (or whatever you like instead)
splash of balsamic vinegar and oil (roughly 2 teaspoons each)

In a large saucepan set over medium heat, heat the oil and saute the onion and garlic until translucent. Set aside.
Bring the water to a boil in large stock pot and cook the peas until tender (about 5 minutes). Drain them from the water, rinse under cold water and drain well.
In a large bowl, combine the peas, onion, garlic, fresh cheese, salt, pepper and the herbs. Mix until combined and add a few splashes of vinegar and olive oil. You're set! 


oh, and I think this could be really good with bacon, or even nuts added into it.


recipe and photos are from here: http://www.mytartelette.com/2010/06/recipe-fresh-pea-cheese-and-herb-salad.html

Chile Pepper Casserole

If any of you like Chile Relleños, then you will like this casserole. It was really yummy. I should have made a relleno sauce to go over the top and that would have finished it off perfectly!

8 whole large ancho/poblano or bell peppers
1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (I used Mozzarella cheese)
1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
4 green onions, sliced
4 eggs
2 cups milk
2/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

This recipe works with lots of different kinds of chiles. Roast peppers under the broiler in the oven (put rack as close to broiler as possible) so that the skin blisters, then peel off most of the blistered skin. Remove stem and seeds, and continue with the recipe. (I am sure you could use canned peppers as well)

Split chile peppers lengthwise and remove seeds and pith. Spread chiles in a single layer in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the green onions, cilantro and most of the cheese (reserving some for the top) over chiles.

In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, flour, and salt together until smooth. Pour over chiles and cheese. Bake at 325 degrees F for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in custard comes out clean.

Sprinkle remaining cheese over casserole and return to oven for 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with a tomato salad or salsa.

Recipe from this site: http://poblanorecipes.blogspot.com/
(There is any and every poblano pepper recipe known to man on this site, or at least I am pretty sure of it!)

Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders

I made this for dinner tonight and it was WAY good. We had it on top of salad with buttermilk ranch dressing (the kind you make from a packet). I think it was one of the yummiest salads I have ever made. 

16 saltine crackers, finely crushed
1/4 cup pecans, ground (I did more)
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 egg white
Vegetable cooking spray
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Stir together crushed crackers and next 4 ingredients.
2. Whisk egg white just until foamy.
3. Place a wire rack coated with cooking spray in a parchment paper-lined 15- x 10-inch cookie sheet.
4. Dredge chicken tenders in flour; dip in egg white, and dredge in saltine mixture. Lightly coat chicken on each side with cooking spray; arrange chicken on wire rack.
5. Bake at 425° for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown, turning once after 12 minutes.

Homemade Samoas

I just found this recipe online today. I haven't made them yet, but I am SURE I will love them. I LOVE samoas. LOVE. I can eat a box by myself in a matter of minutes. Sick.

1 cup butter, soft
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
up to 2 tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350F. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt at a low speed, followed by the vanilla and milk, adding in the milk as needed to make the dough come together without being sticky (it’s possible you might not need to add milk at all). The dough should come together into a soft, not-too-sticky ball.

Add in a bit of extra flour if your dough is very sticky. Roll the dough (working in two or three batches) out between pieces of wax paper to about 1/4-inch thickness (or slightly less) and use a 1 1/2-inch cookie cutter to make rounds. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and use a knife, or the end of a wide straw, to cut a smaller center hole. Repeat with remaining dough.

Alternatively, use scant tablespoons of dough and press into an even layer in a mini donut pan to form the rounds. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, until bottoms are lightly browned and cookies are set. If using a mini donut pan, bake for only about 10 minutes, until edges are light gold. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


Topping

3 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp milk
8 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips are ok)

Preheat oven to 300. Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula.Using the spatula or a small offset spatula, spread topping on cooled cookies, using about 2-3 tsp per cookie. Reheat caramel for a few seconds in the microwave if it gets too firm to work with.

While topping sets up, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. Dip the base of each cookie into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment paper. Transfer all remaining chocolate (or melt a bit of additional chocolate, if necessary) into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle finished cookies with chocolate. Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container.

Makes about 3 1/2-4 dozen cookies.

Photo and recipe found here: http://jaynsarah.blogspot.com/2010/04/samosa-cookies-and-million-dollars.html

Chicken Pasta Salad

12 oz. bag of Bowtie pasta
12 oz. bag of colored rotini (it can be a 16 oz bag too)
20 oz. can pineapple tidbits
2 cups chopped celery
1 bunch of green onions
1 cup cashews
1 cup red grapes (I usually do more, I like them)
4 cooked ckn breasts (cut into small pieces)
1 cup mayo (could substitute plain yogurt to make it healthier)
16 oz. coleslaw dressing (I don't always use the whole bottle, it can make it too runny)
I have also added mandarin oranges to this

Cook pasta and chicken. Let cool completely. Mix all ingredients together and chill in fridge for at least 1 hour.

This is one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day.


****Side note****
This makes a very large batch. I usually make this if I am planning on feeding more than just my little family.

Pastel de Papas

Forever ago Keaton had some Chileans over who cooked us dinner. They made us Paste de Papas. It is pretty much like a shepherd pie recipe. But yummier. I have been wanting to make this for a long time now and finally found me the true recipe. I know that most of you may not LOVE something like this, and the fact that there are raisins in it is weird, but it good, trust me! Kylee, you could impress Russ and make it for him sometime. I bet he would love you :)

8 servings 1¼ hours 20 min prep

Filling

1 lb ground beef
1 1/4 onions, chopped
2 eggs, hard boiled and sliced
1 cup black olives, whole
1/4 cup raisins, soaked in warm water
salt and pepper
cumin
oregano
Mashed Potagoes 6 large potatoes
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter salt

Cook potatoes and mash with milk, butter and salt. Set aside. Brown the ground beef and chopped onions with cumin, oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Some like more cumin than others. Drain raisins. Drain the ground beef mixture and place in baking pan that has been coated with cooking spray. Layer the sliced hard boiled eggs, olives and raisins over the meat mixture. Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef mixture. Sprinkle top of mashed potatoes with sugar (yes sugar, it makes it all caramelized on top). Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1/2 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

HEAT oven to 400°F.

COOK chicken in pan with a little salt and pepper, and oil.

MIX tomatoes, stuffing mix, water and garlic just until stuffing mix is moistened.

LAYER chicken, basil, cheese and stuffing in 3-qt. or 13x9-inch baking dish.

BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy now or cover and refrigerate. To reheat, microwave each serving on HIGH 2 to 3 min.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I haven't made these yet, but have heard they are AMAZING! I have made a lot of different recipes for chocolate chip cookies so I can't wait to try these. I am posting this so I won't loose the recipe..I am sure I will be making these soon so I will post a pic later!

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs (room temp if possible)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (feel free to throw in the whole bag if you like them super chocolate-y)

Cream butter, brown sugar and white sugar together in a mixer. Then add the eggs, one at a time. Beat until creamy. Add the vanilla.

In another bowl mix the dry ingredients together before slowly adding them to the creamed mixture. When combined, stop the mixer and add the semi-sweet chips. Mix up and then drop by the teaspoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Mold them into a ball as best as you can with the spoon for a more shaped cookie.

Bake on 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Place on wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

(Make sure you use a high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chip like Ghirardelli. You won't achieve the same results with Nestle or Hersheys sadly)

Easiest Doughnuts EVER!

I am not kidding when I say this was the EASIEST recipe for doughnuts. I have been making doughnuts for a long time and always hate all the work that goes into them. These not only were quick and simple, but they look awesome. I don't think I have ever made a doughnut that actually looks like a doughnut! We loved them!

Quick and Easy Doughnuts

Ingredients:

biscuit dough—ready to use or from scratch
small circle cutter—I used a lid from my water bottle
1/2 cup (or more) cooking oil—vegetable or canola
tongs
paper towels

Directions:

Open the biscuit can and spread all the rolls out. Then using a small circle cutter, press out a donut hole right in the middle.

Then get your pan to medium heat with 1/2 cup oil. Depending on how many you make, you will need more oil. You want enough oil to cover half of the donut when cooking, and so that they can float a little off the bottom. Place 3-4 doughy donuts into the pan and leave until the bottom is golden brown. They cook fast! Then turn them over and cook another minute or so. Using tongs, place the cooked donut on paper towels to drain and cool slightly.

You can then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, or make this yummy chocolate glaze.


Chocolate Glaze

Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup whole milk, warmed
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions
Combine butter, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla in medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until butter is melted. Decrease the heat to low, add the chocolate, and whisk until melted. Turn off heat, add the powdered sugar, and whisk until smooth. Place the mixture over a bowl of warm water and dip the doughnuts immediately. Allow glaze to set for 30 minutes before serving.

Éclair in a pan

ingredients
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
3 cups whipped cream,
1 box of instant pudding
directions1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 glass pan. In a medium saucepan combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to boiling. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat. Cool for 10 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon after each addition. Spread into the bottom of pan.Mix pudding with 1 cup milk (a cup less than it calls for), and then mix with 2 cups of the cool whip.After éclair is done cooking, let cool completely. Then layer with pudding mixture, and top with cool whip. Drizzle with chocolate/caramel/or both.