In the Dixon Kitchen

Creamy White Sauce {myRecipes.com}

2012-01-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

Use on hot or cold chicken, or as a zesty sandwich spread. Yummy with fish & chips too :D

1/4 c canola mayonnaise

2 tsp white vinegar

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/4 tsp salt

minced garlic clove

Homemade Bonzai Burger

2011-04-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

Teriyaki Sauce (your fave)

Ground Beef

Canned Pineapple Rings

Cheddar Cheese

Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns

Tomato Slices

Shredded Lettuce

Mayo

***

Form beef patties. Marinate patties in teriyaki sauce before grilling. Grill patty and both sides of pineapple. Toast bun. Top patty with grilled pineapple, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Enjoy, I know I will!

Cupcakes

2011-03-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Activity Day Cupcakes

Converting Sugar to Truvia or Stevia

2011-01-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

HOW TO CONVERT SUGAR TO TRUVIA OR STEVIA

Yummy Slushy {Debbie Bucknum}

2010-11-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Limeade Slush

3 Cans Limeade

6 Cans Sugar

16 Cans Warm Water

Lemonade Slush

1 Can Lemonade

4 Cans Sugar

10 Cans Warm Water

DIRECTIONS Combine and put in gallon freezer bags. Takes 2-3 days to freeze solid. Cut up slush into chunks and combine with Sprite when ready to serve.

Lunch with Tiffany

2010-08-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

My niece, Tiffany, came over yesterday and we had lunch. I tried something new and paired it with some tried and true.

Bow Tie Lasagna

With ground turkey rather than beef, so quick so easy every mom should have this recipe, let me repeat, "Every mom should have this recipe!"

Secret Salad

French Sourdough Bread (Albertsons)

Raspberry Cream Pie

YUM!!!

If you want a good laugh you can see me eating this delicious pie here.

Peanut Butter Balls {Wendy Bowman}

2009-12-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

Wendy is my neighbor, my friend, and the mother of one of Jaxsen's best friends, Kyle. The other day the boys finished sledding and she served them up Peanut Butter Balls. Jax LOVED, LOVED, LOVED them. He ran into the house, dripping with snow proclaiming that I MUST email Wendy and get the recipe 'cause they're better than No Bake Cookies and his new FAVORITE treat ever!!!

"Jax you need to tell Wendy how much you like them and ask for the recipe."

He countered with, "Can't you just do your Facebook thing?"

"Nooo, you tell her. It will make her sooo happy :D"

He did and here's the recipe. Can't wait to try them myself!!!

2 c. creamy peanut butter

1/2 c. butter

4 c. confectioners' sugar

3 c. crisp rice cereal

2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS Melt peanut butter and butter in saucepan, over low heat. In a large bowl, mix crispy rice cereal and confectioners' sugars well. Pour melted peanut butter and butter over cereal and sugar and blend together thoroughly.

Form into 1 inch or smaller balls, spread on cookie sheets, chill till firm in refrigerator (over night is okay).

Melt chocolate in double boiler and keep melted while working with balls. A teaspoon is best to use in dipping the balls in chocolate. Dip good and place on cookie sheet. As you dip them place them back on cookie sheet and keep chilled till firm.

YIELDS: 24

Salsa {My Own Creation}

2009-09-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

20-24 lbs. tomatoes

2 c. fresh cilantro

2 large sweet onions

10 garlic cloves

5 medium jalapenos, remove seeds

3 medium jalapenos with seeds

1 c. chopped green pepper

1 c. chopped red pepper

2 Tbsp. cumin

1/4 c. sea salt

1/4 c. white vinegar

¾ c. lemon juice from fresh lemons or bottled

DIRECTIONS Peel and chop tomatoes in a food processor (part until they are liquid and part bigger pieces). Chop cilantro, onion, garlic, green and red peppers; add to tomatoes. Chop jalepenos with seeds (without for mild) and put in to 10 quart stock pot. Add cumin, salt and vinegar; stir all together. Bring to a boil and lower temperature to keep at a low boil for 2-3 hours. Boil down to about half to get rid of all the extra tomato water. Fill and leave 1/2 inch head space let cool to avoid condensation and ice on top of salsa. Place lids on and freeze, or process in water bath canner according to your altitude.

Secret Salad {Kirstin White}

2009-09-25T20:08:00.001-07:00

1 bag salad greens

1 can mandarin oranges, drained

1/2 c. parmesan cheese

1/2 c. slivered almonds

Girard's Champagne salad dressing, and YES, it HAS TO BE Girard's ;->

DIRECTIONS Add dressing, to taste, just before serving to avoid wilting. Can easily double or even bigger.

Fried Macaroni & Cheese {Food Network}

2009-09-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

We went to WICKED last weekend and then we took a stroll to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

Our friend Shauna ordered Fried Macaroni & Cheese. I thought that was an interesting choice and pictured standard mac & cheese with a crust on top. I was wrong.

So wrong, I wished I'd ordered the Fried Macaroni & Cheese and sometimes I can't get the thought and taste out of my mind. Even Logan (who despises any type of pasta) LOVED it! Divine, exquisite, mouthwatering delicious.

I googled up this recipe, from the Food Network, that I plan on trying and I'll let you all know what I think. One reviewer said if you want them to be like the ones at the Cheesecake Factory you should make them bigger. The recipe got good reviews.

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 Tblsp. unsalted butter

2 Tblsp. all-purpose flour

2 c. milk, warmed, plus 2 Tblsp. for egg wash

1 pound grated Cheddar

1 pound grated smoked Gouda

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 large eggs

3 c. seasonedbread crumb, for frying

Vegetable oil, for frying

Marinara or Alfredo sauce, to serve

DIRECTIONS Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour into the butter and stir it with a whisk. Cook for 2 minutes. Whisk the warmed milk into the flour mixture, working out any lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cheeses, and stir until melted and smooth; season with salt and pepper. Fold the cheese sauce into macaroni. Pour the mac and cheese into a shallow pan and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.

Shape the cold mac and cheese into meatball-sized balls and place them onto a waxed paper-lined tray. Freeze the balls overnight.

Beat the eggs and 2 tablespoons milk together to form an egg wash and pour it into a shallow bowl. Put the bread crumbs into another shallow bowl. Remove the mac and cheese balls from the freezer. Dip the frozen balls into the egg wash then into the bread crumbs. Put the balls back into the freezer until you are ready to fry.

Heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry the mac and cheese balls until they are golden brown and center is hot, about 5 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite marinara or Alfredo sauce or combination or both for dipping.

Deviled Eggs

2009-07-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

Logan asked for them, then Brooklynn got all excited and thought they were a done deal, so I had to whip some up to go with our chef salad for dinner. They got devoured before I could get a picture so today I'll be whipping up some more. I'm craving them already.

Hard boil eggs by placing eggs in pot, cover with water plus a little extra. Turn burner to high. Bring to a boil and continue to boil on high for 6 minutes. Turn off heat and let pot remain on burner an additional 6 minutes. Remove from burner and drain water. Cover eggs in cold water for 3-5 minutes before peeling. I like to peel mine under a bit of luke-warm water.

Cut eggs lengthwise and put centers into a small bowl. Mash with fork.

I add mayo, mustard, salt, pepper, pickles and a bit of pickle juice from the jar.

Now, get out the hand blender and whip it up!!!

Fill egg centers and top with a dash of paprika.

What I want to know is, what do you do?

1000 Island Dressing

2009-07-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

1 c. mayonnaise

2 tbsp. ketchup

1 tbsp. vinegar

2 tsp. sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

dash of pepper

minced onion

diced pickle

Banana Cream Supreme {Pampered Chef}

2009-07-06T19:02:00.000-07:00

My husbands favorite pie!!! This pie can cause friends to dual for the largest piece, the last piece, and every bite inbetween. I was surprised to find this recipe is not on the Pampered Chef website. So scrumpt-dilly-icious.

16 graham crackers (1 1/4 c. crushed)

1/4 c. butter, melted

3 Tbsp. sugar

1 c. sour cream

1/2 c. cold milk

1 pkg. (3.4 ounce) vanilla instant pudding

1 container (12 ounce) whipped topping

3 medium bananas

2 Tbsp. pegans, grated

Raspberry and mint leaves (optional)

Chop graham crackers. Add butter and sugar, mix well. Press mixture onto flat bottom of springform pan. Whisk sour cream and milk. Add pudding mix; whisk 'til dissolved. Add whipped topping, mixing until well blended. Spread half of filling over crust. Slice bananas; arrange over filling. Spread remaining filling over bananas. Grate pecans over top garnish with raspberries and mint leaves.

12 servings

Peanut Butter Cookies {The Fannie Farmer Cookbook}

2009-06-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

Logan requested these today, he LOVES peanut butter cookies. Brooklynn can't stand them! I think it's interesting how kids go through phases...she used to eat nothing but peanut butter and jam or honey sandwiches now she's a turkey girl on a deli bun. The only peanut butter she's interested in is Peanut Butter M & M's (a must have at her swim meets). Then, there's Jax. He requested Snicker Doodles, but he only eats peanut butter sandwiches with honey or "homemade" raspberry freezer jam. Go figure.

1/2 pound butter

1 c. chunk-style peanutbutter (I use smooth)

1 c. granulated sugar

1 c. dark-brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 c. flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease some cookie sheets. Cream the butter and peanut butter together. Beat in the two sugars, then add the egg and the vanilla and mix well. Mix together the salt, baking soda, and flour and add to the first mixture, combining thoroughly. Arrange by teaspoonfuls on the cookie sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Press each one flat with the back of a floured spoon. Bake about 7 minutes or 'til firm.

Mexican Rice with {Jen}

2009-06-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

1 c. rice

1 tbsp. oil

DIRECTIONS Sautee in large pan

2 c. water

handful of diced onion

1 clove garlic, chopped fine or pressed

2 tsp. Caldo de tomate (tomato boullion w/ chicken flavor)

DIRECTIONS Bring to boil. Add boiling water mixture to browned rice, cover with lid and simmer for 20 minutes.

YIELDS: 5 cups

White Chili

2009-05-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

Undeniably yummy and so easy you'll wish you had discovered it sooner!

6 (15 oz.) cans of great white northern beans, undrained

6 cups cooked chicken breasts, diced or shredded

2 tsp. cumin

5 c. chicken broth

2 medium onions, diced

2 (4 oz.) cans chopped green chilies, undrained

1 1/2 tsp. ground oregano

1/2 tsp. red or cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp. pepper

24 oz. lite sour cream

YIELDS 10-12 SERVINGS

DIRECTIONS Boil onions in broth for 15 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients, except sour cream; simmer one hour. Fold in sour cream before serving. Top with cilantro and grated mozzerella cheese. Serve with warmed soft taco shell and/or corn chips.

Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Shauna

2009-05-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

This is Julie. Julie belongs to Shauna, or maybe Shauna belongs to Julie. One thing's for sure, they're a match made in heaven.

This is Shauna. Shauna is an amazing friend and an amazing cook! She came over for our weekly dinner and whipped up these chickens in the blink of an eye. The chicken was soooo tender and juicy. I don't know why I always think these kinds of dishes are going to be so time consuming, or too much 'work', but Shauna gave me a new perspective and one of my kids a new favorite dish. Thanks girlfriend!!!

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (2 1/4 pounds)

5 ounces (1/2 package) nachetele cream cheese

1 package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tbsp. seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper

egg noodles (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove tenders from chicken; reserve for another use. Cut a pocket into breasts, cutting into but not through. Soften cream cheese slightly.

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, both cheeses, bread crumbs and 1/4 tsp. each of the salt and pepper. Stuff a scant 1/3 cup into each chicken breast. Secure with toothpicks.

Season chicken with remaining 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Brown chicken over medium-high heat in two batches in a nonstick skillet for 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until cooked through.

Cook egg noodles according to directions. Toss with butter and fresh parsley.

Steam green beans and toss with butter, crushed rosemary, and almonds.

Breadsticks

2009-01-07T22:06:00.001-08:00

1 tbsp. yeast dissolved in 1 1/2 c. warm water

2 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

3 1/4 - 4 c. flour

DIRECTIONS Mix together - dough will be sticky. Knead on well-floured surface 3 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes.

Melt 1 cube of butter on jelly roll pan in oven.

Roll dough out into rectangle and rub with butter, lightly sprinkling with garlic salt and grated Parmesan cheese.

Fold dough lengthwise and cut into horizontal strips with pizza cutter.

Dip each strip into melted butter on pan, twist, and place on pan.

Generously sprinkle with garlic salt, grated and shredded Parmesan cheese.

Let raise 10 minutes or until double.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

*These can be made early in the day, covered with foil, and refrigerated until about an hour before dinner. Bring to room temperature, then bake as directed.

Potato Soup

2009-01-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

4 potatoes mashed or cubed or baked with insides scooped out

2/3 c. butter

2/3 c. flour

6 c. milk

1 c. chopped green onion

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground pepper

12 slices bacon or chopped ham

5 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

1 (8 ounce) sour cream

2 large tbsp. chicken base (that's the secret, but I guess not anymore)

DIRECTIONS Melt butter over low heat, stir in flour. Cook 1 minute. Pour in milk on medium heat, keep stirring 'til thick. Add potatoes, green onion, salt, pepper, ham, cheese. Stir. Heat 15 minutes. Mix in sour cream and serve.

*Goes great with Breadsticks, yum!

Banana Bread {American Classics}

2009-01-04T17:19:00.000-08:00

Beautiful and delicious!

2 c. unbleached all-purpose flour

3/4 c. sugar

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3 very ripe, soft, darkly speckled large bananas, mashed well (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/4 c. plain yogurt

2 large eggs, beaten lightly

6 tbsp. butter, melted and cooled

1 tsp. vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS Adjust oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan; set aside.

Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl; set aside.

Mix the mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla with wooden spoon in a medium bowl.

Lightly fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined and batter looks thick and chunky. Scrape the batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface with a rubber spatula.

Bake until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Buttermilk Brownies {Esther}

2008-12-28T15:41:00.000-08:00

BROWNIE

1 c. butter or margarine

1/3 c. cocoa

1 c. water

1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS In a sauce pan or bowl for microwave, combine butter, cocoa, water.
Bring to a boil; stir often. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips, stir until melted. In large bowl sift together:

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp salt

sitr in:

2 slightly beaten eggs

1/2 c. buttermilk

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

DIRECTIONS Add cocoa mixture, mix until blended. Pour into nonstick or greased 15 1/2 X 10 1/2 X 1 inch baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Immediately pour frosting over brownies; spread evenly.

YIELDS 60 BARS

FROSTING

1/4 c. butter

3 T. dry cocoa

3 T. buttermilk

5 T. semi sweet chocolate chips

Cook and stir until boiling. Remove from heat and add:

1 c. mini marshmallows

Stir until almost all melted. Beat in 2 1/4 c. powdered sugar and optional 1/2 c. chopped walnuts. Add 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla. May need to add up to 1/4 c. milk until desired consistency is reached. Pour over brownies while hot.

Country White Bread

2008-12-09T09:05:00.000-08:00

Zucchini Bread

2008-12-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

3 eggs, beaten light and foamy

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup applesauce

2 cups sugar

2 cups zucchini (unpeeled)

3 teaspoons vanilla

Stir together and add:

3 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups self rising flour

1 cup white flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS Bake in 2, lightly greased and floured, loaf pans for 45 minutes - 1 hour at 325 degrees.
* Sprinkle mixture of cinnamon and sugar lightly over top before baking.

Oreos

2008-12-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

OUTER COOKIE
1 box Devils Food Cake Mix
2 eggs
3/4 cups shortening

CREAMY MIDDLE
1 cube butter
4 ounces Cream Cheese
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound powdered sugar (3 1/2 c. powdered sugar packed)

Mix ingredients for cookies; dough will be thick. Roll dough into balls; you decide how big you want your Oreos to be. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes. Beat together ingredients for creamy middle and spread between 2 cooled cookies. Refrigerate or freeze. YUM!

Enchilada Bake

2008-12-03T13:23:00.000-08:00

1 lb. or 2 1/2 cups ground beef or turkey

1 small onion

1 small can diced green chilies, drained

10 1/2 ounce can enchilada sauce

1 package Doritos chips

grated cheese

Brown ground beef or turkey with onion, salt and pepper to taste. Drain off fat. Add green chilies.

In a 9x13 pan layer crushed chips

1/2 of meat mixture

grated cheese

1/2 can of enchilada sauce

REPEAT, ONE MORE TIME ;->

Top with more cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. M-M-M GOOD!

*Have available: sour cream, avocado, olives, tomato, etc.

Fettucini Verde

2008-11-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

12 ounce fresh fettuccine or 8 ounces dry
6 tablespoons butter
1 cup sliced green onion
2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
salt & pepper
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese
pinch of nutmeg

Cook noodles in large kettle of boiling, salted, water 'til al dante; drain.

While noodles are cooking, melt butter on medium high heat. Saute green onion and pressed garlic with salt and pepper to taste. Add half & half. When shiny bubbles form add Parmesan cheese with wire whisk. Once combined, place cooked chicken in sauce to keep warm.

Combine noodles with sauce and chicken. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and a dash of nutmeg.

Cheese Straws

2008-11-16T09:56:00.000-08:00

Note to self: Remember to visit Kitchenography and whip up some cheese straws this week.

Simply Lasagna

2008-11-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

I made a lasagna today from a recipe found at Simply Lasagna recipe at Kraftfoods.com. I was most excited about the fact I wouldn't have to pre-cook the noodles. I had my camera out, intending to take a picture, and in my rush to get the lasagna to where it needed to be I forgot. It looked and smelled divine, even my honey thought so. I've changed the recipe a bit from the original to suit our family and our budget, ricotta can be so expensive; Fred Meyer's low-fat cottage cheese works just fine for us.

1 pound or 2 1/2 cups ground turkey or beef

2-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1 container (15 ounce) cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or 4 teaspoons dried

1 egg, beaten

1 jar (26 ounce) spaghetti sauce

1 cup water

12 lasagna noodles, uncooked

Heat oven to 350°F. Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat. Meanwhile, mix 1-1/4 cups mozzarella cheese, the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, parsley and egg until well blended; set aside.

Drain meat and add spaghetti sauce. Add water to empty sauce jar, replace lid and shake; add to meat mixture; stir 'til well blended.

1. Spread 1 cup of the sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish

2. Top with layers of 3 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture and 1 cup sauce.

3. Repeat layers twice.

4. Top with remaining 3 noodles and the remaining meat sauce.

5. Sprinkle remaining 1-1/4 cups mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese on top.

6. Cover with pam sprayed foil (prevents the cheese from sticking to the foil, very important).

Bake 45 min. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 min. or until heated through. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

Serves 12

Peanut Butter Squares

2008-11-13T10:03:00.000-08:00

2 cups creamy peanutbutter
1 cup butter, divided
1 (16 ounce) package or 3 1/2-4 cups confectioners sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips

In a saucepan, over medium heat, stir together peanut butter and 3/4 cup butter 'til smooth. Remove from heat and stir in sugar with 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mixture will be thick. Pat into greased 9x13x2 pan.

In small saucepan, over low heat, combine both kinds of chocolate chips and remaining 1/4 cup butter. Stir 'til mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in remaining vanilla. Spread over peanut butter layer and chill 'til firm.

Brooklynn's Favorite Snickerdoodles

2008-11-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

Cookie Dough:

1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons cream of tarter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon/Sugar Mixture for Rolling:

3 Tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix sugar, butter, shortening and eggs. Stir in dry ingredients. Shape teaspoonfulls into balls. Roll balls in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Bake for 8-10 minutes 'til set. Remove from cookie sheet.

About 6 dozen

Cheesy Potato Casserole for Logan

2008-11-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

Parboil 6-8 medium potatoes with skins on. Remove jackets and grate into 11x13 pan.

In a 2 quart pot, on medium heat, mix the following 'til cheese melts:
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 1/4 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup chives
1/3 cup butter
1 pint sour cream

Fold heated cheese mixture into potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Want to make it a meal? Toss in some ham or bacon.

Rio Grande Dip

2008-11-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

Devoured in a blink of an eye, so don't serve it until you're ready to dig in too or there may not be any left for you. This statement is made based on personal experience ; -)

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 c. salsa

1 (4 ounce) can diced green chili peppers, drained

1 medium tomato, finely chopped

1/2 c. sliced green onion

1 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese (add cheddar for more color)

DIRECTIONS Mix and serve with Tortilla Chips, hamburgers, bbq ribs, alongside chicken or steak, atop a baked potato.

*You can make ahead and add cheese just before serving.

Upside Down Skillet Pizza

2008-11-12T20:55:00.000-08:00

1 pound ground turkey or beef

2 scallions, chopped

1 (14 ounce) jar pizza sauce

1 (4 1/2 ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, rinsed and drained *optional

1 cup shredded mozzerella cheese

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. milk

1 egg

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a deep 9" or 10" oven proof skillet cook beef and scallions over medium-high heat 'til meat is browned, 5-7 minutes. Drain fat. Stir in pizza sauce and mushrooms. Simmer 3 minutes.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over meat mixture. In a bowl whisk together flour, milk, and egg until well blended. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Spread batter evenly over meat mixture and cheese.

Bake 20 minutes or 'til light golden in color. Cut into wedges and serve.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Bars from The Recipe Girl

2008-10-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

These bars by The Recipe Girl are OUTSTANDING!!! Melt in your mouth goodness that's a fall must and serves a lot of people. Perfect for a large gathering and so easy to make. Not only is her recipe wonderful, but take a look at that picture! I wish I could spend a day in her kitchen...a girl can dream, can't she?

BATTER:

1 ¾ cups pure pumpkin puree
1 cup canola oil
4 large eggs
1½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole- wheat pastry flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
¾ cup mini- chocolate chips

FROSTING:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 Tbs butter, softened
2 tsp milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
½ cup mini- chocolate chips (for topping)

1 Prepare batter: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 10x15-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.

2 In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs and sugars until combined.

3 In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger and cloves. Toss in mini chocolate chips and stir to combine. Add dry ingredients to the wet and stir until moistened.

4 Pour batter into prepared pan coated with nonstick spray. Bake until the center springs back when lightly pressed in the center- about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and place on wire rack to cool completely.

5 Prepare frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla. Slowly add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, and mix until smooth. Frost bars and sprinkle with additional mini chocolate chips.

Yield: About 42 bars. A cake decorating friend gave me some advice-You can cut these apart and set on platter, in freezer, for 12 hours until frozen. Then you can put them in freezer bags or stack them in a tub and pull out later to serve. So, if you want to make them and keep 'em, you can.

Mmmmm...gotta make it!

2008-10-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

I'm hunting this down when I'm out and about today. Why? Because it's just gotta be good, that's why!

I rarely sit down to watch T.V, but I was having remote problems and I knew it was going to take me awhile to figure it out. What was on the tube? Rescue Chef with Danny Boome. I've never watched the Rescue Chef before but he was making Fillet Mignon with Chive Butter and I could taste it! Then he started slicing asparagus in preparation for Pan-fried Asparagus and Shallots and while that was searing he removed Potato Gratin from the oven in these cute little tins...foil lined rings 2-inches wide. As I salivated and dreamed of what it would taste like, he mentioned it only took 30 minutes to make and I was SOLD!

FILET MIGNON with CHIVE BUTTER

For the butter:
1 stick butter, softened
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch chives, left whole

For the steaks:
4 (8-ounce) filet mignon steaks
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 ounces brandy

Place butter into a mixing bowl, season with salt and pepper and stir until blended and soft. Take a 12-inch piece of plastic wrap and lay it on the counter. Spoon the butter out onto the center of the plastic wrap and place the chives in the center on top of the butter. Pull the edge over the butter mixture, and tightly pinch the ends, then holding the plastic wrap tightly at each end, pull the mixture towards you. This should create a tight sausage shape. (or imagine rolling a sushi roll) Chives will be in the center surrounded by butter. Tie a knot on both ends of the butter roll and place into the freezer until you are ready to place it on top of your cooked filet.

Season the filets with a little salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high until the pan is hot then drizzle with olive oil.. Place the filets into the pan and cook to medium-rare, about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Remove the pan from the heat and pour brandy into the skillet. Carefully tilt skillet towards the flame to flambe. When the flames burn off, remove the filets from the pan. Remove butter from freezer and cut 4 thin coins and place one on each filet.

Serve steaks while hot.

PAN-FRIED ASPARAGUS and SHALLOTS

1 pound asparagus, thinly sliced on a bias
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and cook for 1 minute then add the asparagus. Cook for 5 minutes and season with a little salt and pepper. Serve warm.

POTATO GRATIN

1 pound baby new potatoes
2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place the baby new potatoes with skins on into a large saucepan of cold, salted water, place the saucepan onto a medium heat and bring the potatoes to boil. Boil the potatoes for about 15 minutes, until a knife can easily be inserted, but potatoes are not falling apart.

Drain potatoes and place them back into the pan. Using a fork roughly mash up leaving nice big potato chunks. Mix in the grated cheese, heavy cream, butter and black pepper. Take a foil lined baking sheet and place 4 rings (2-inches wide) on top. Fill each ring with potato mixture and place in oven for 20 minutes until the top is nice and golden brown.

Using a wide spatula, transfer the ring of potatoes to each plate. Holding the edge of the hot ring with a kitchen towel, cut around the potatoes to loosen them.

Remove the ring and serve hot.

Of course, no dinner is complete at my house without dessert. Since I was at Food Network clicking away I gave Barefoot-Contessa a look and my, oh my, she had a video where you could make Lemon Bars with her. Ya! That's what we're having. The kids might like the Peanut Swirl Brownies though. DANG! Now I'm confused.

LEMON BARS

Cream 2 sticks of butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Add 2 cups flour with mixer on low and 1/8 tsp. of salt. Pat into ungreased 9x12 pan, with floured hands, chill for 15 minutes before baking at 350 degrees. How long? She didn't say.

Combine 6 eggs, 3 cups sugar, 2 Tbsp. grated lemon zest, 1 cup fresh lemon juice and 1 cup flour. Add the flour slowly to prevent clumping. Pour mixture over crust and bake 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool. Cut into 12 big squares and dust with confectioners sugar.

How easy is that?

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-10-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

One day, while I was searching for inspiring cooking blogs, I stumbled upon Orangette. She had made Chocolate Chip Cookies adapted from Jacques Torres that ran in the New York Times July 9th. Not only were these cookies big and beautiful they were made with cake flour, bread flour, kosher salt, bittersweet chocolate, and sea salt sprinkled on top. In my quest to make cool food, and because sea salt sprinkled on top of my cookies definitely constituted as cool, I ran to Albertsons, purchased cake flour and decided I would make them as soon as I got home.

They were, in my opinion, the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie I have ever devoured. The only problem was that my daughter, Brooklynn, hates semi-sweet chips and bittersweet was not an improvment as far as she was concerned. Those cookies were gone in a day so the next week I made them again with milk chocolate chips. I didn't have bread flour so I substituted all-purpose and a bit of whole wheat in it's place. Waiting 24-36 hours for chilling wasn't an option either so I placed the dough in the freezer while I cleaned up the kitchen and then scooped the chilled dough onto baking sheets. While one pan baked one waited in the freezer. I'd remove the pan from the freezer into the oven and the next pan in line would then go into the freezer. Worked perfectly! They tasted heavenly.

2 Cups minus 2 Tbsp. Cake Flour
1 2/3 Cups Bread Flour or All-Purpose (Mix it up with some whole wheat if you want)
1 ¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 ½ Teaspoon Coarse Salt (Kosher)
2 ½ Sticks Unsalted Butter, Softened
1 ¼ Cups Light Brown Sugar
1 Cup plus 2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 ¼ Pounds Milk Chocolate Chips
Sea salt

Combine flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk well; set aside.

Using mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until very light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; add dry ingredients, and mix 'til just combined. Add chocolate chips mixing to incorporate. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate 24 to 36 hours. The dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove dough from refrigerator allowing to soften slightly. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a standard-size ice cream scoop, or a 1/3 cup measurer, scoop six mounds of dough onto baking sheet spacing evenly. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt, and bake 'til golden brown but still soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack for 10 minutes, then place cookies onto rack to finish cooling.

Quick, pour a glass of milk and eat before they dissapear!

Rolls, Rolls, Rolls...

2008-10-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

Jen, taught me how to make these rolls years ago. They are sooooo good. We make them for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, trips, etc. We also made them for each other when we had our babies. When our kids were little we made small ones for very small hands. Now that my kids are older I make them large so we can use them for sandwiches.

1 Cup Mashed Potato Flakes

3/4 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Shortning

1 Tablespoon Salt

1 1/2 Tablespoons Yeast
(Dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water & 1/2 teaspoon sugar)

4 Eggs

3 Cups Scalded Milk

8 Cups Flour (Approximately)

DIRECTIONS Mix ingredients in large bowl or mixer. Let dough rise until double. Divide in half. Roll out then butter dough, fold over (it should look long and narrow), cut into 1" strips with pizza cutter, twist and tie in a knot. Let rise for 2-3 hours. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Cinnamon Rolls

2008-10-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

Rolls

1 C Mashed Potato Flakes

3/4 C Sugar

3/4 C Shortning

1 Tbsp. Salt

1 1/2 Tbsp. Yeast
(Dissolve in 1/4 cup warm water & 1/2 tsp. sugar)

4 Eggs

3 C Scalded Milk

8 C Flour (Approximately)

Filling

1 C brown sugar, packed

2 1/2 Tblsp ground cinnamon

1/3 C butter, softened

Frosting

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 C butter, softened

1 1/2 C confectioners' sugar

1/2 Tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS Mix ingredients in large bowl or mixer. Let dough rise until double. Divide dough in half and roll each into a rectangle. Spread each rectangle with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Roll, slice, place in pam sprayed pan or on cookie sheet. Let rise for 2-3 hours. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Ice or top with cream cheese frosting.

Chicken Noodle Soup + Mashed Potatoes

2008-09-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl my mother would make chicken noodle soup over mashed potatoes when we were sick. Even now, when I feel a cold coming on, this is what I want. It's warm, soothing, and filling.

Homemade chicken noodle soup tastes best, but if your short on time you can substitute Lipton Noodle Soup or Campbell's. If you want to add veggies, toss in some frozen peas and carrots during the boiling stage while you whip up some mashed potatoes.

Boil 6-7 peeled and sliced potatoes 'til tender. Drain. Place potatoes in mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Put the paddle on your mixer and add salt, pepper, butter, and milk (chicken broth or potato water may be substituted).

Beat with the paddle then change to whisk and whip, on high, for 1 minute. Ummm...place a generous helping of mashed potatoes in your bowl and ladel the chicken noodle soup over the top. Salt and pepper to taste. Relax, heal, enjoy.

Apple Crisp

2008-09-22T22:06:00.001-07:00

Fall is in the air, as the smell of cinnamon wafted through my kitchen, I inhaled deeply and said goodbye to summer.

Thinly slice 6-7 peeled apples into an ungreased 9x13 baking dish.

Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup chilled butter, 3 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 cup oats, and 2 cups nuts (optional). Do not over mix. You want the butter to stay chunky so the consistency of the topping is crumbly.

Sprinkle topping over sliced apples and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Delish!

Best Ever Chocolate Cake + Blackberry Cobbler On-line Recipe Review

2008-09-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

I LOVE The Pioneer Woman...I think you know that. I'm always rattling off her web address to all my friends and anyone else who I think might like to know. I think, though, sometimes we look at what other people make and think, "Mine will never look like that," "I wonder if it's as good as it looks." Well, I've decided to add something NEW to my blog, an On-line Recipe Review. As I'm trying new things I'll let you know what I think and give you the link so you can try it yourself. I'll always let you in on the bumps I run across so when you take the recipe for a spin it'll be smooth sailing.

It's been a long time since my family's had dinner with Ray and Traci. What you have to know is that Traci is a phenomenal cook, I'm not even sure phenomenal is a big enough word to describe her talent. She's amazing and she makes it look so simple. Sometimes I wonder if she realizes how truly gifted she is! Anyway...I was assigned dessert and I didn't want it to be just another pan of brownies, you know what I mean? I knew The Pioneer Woman Cooks! was where I was going to go to bedazzle the palates of my special friends.

I made two desserts. Two because I knew the younger taste testers would love anything chocolate but I was craving something berrylicious I'd made before and hit a home-run with. So here's the low-down:

Pioneer Woman's The Best Chocolate Cake. Ever.

I asked Aiden (age 5 1/2, Traci's oldest) what he thought of the cake he said, and I quote, "It's chocolate heaven!" Does it get any better than that? Those kids had seconds, some had thirds, and we adults were okay with it because the mere thought of chocolate cake for dessert motivated them to eat all their dinner...not to mention Ray and Traci had a 'jumpaline' outside they went crazy on with the extra sugar flowing through their veins.

Were there any bumps along the way? Just one. Ree (that's the Pioneer Woman) tells you to use a pound of powdered sugar when making the icing, she withholds a 1/2 cup. So a pound minus a half cup. I had to look it up.

One-Pound Equivalents: 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, packed

This means you'd add 3 cups of powdered sugar, right? Right! Here's the important part. After adding the 3 cups I taste tested (just because I love her doesn't mean I might not want that extra 1/2 cup powdered sugar) it was too bitter, in my opinion. I realized, I didn't pack the powdered sugar...hmmmm...I added more and kept adding 'til it tasted right. So the tip here is pack down the powdered sugar, withhold the 1/2 cup (you can always add it after a taste test. I wanted my icing pourable, so I added a bit more milk too as I thought necessary. NEXT!

*Update: Made again using 3 cups, packed, powdered sugar. Perfectly delicious!

Pioneer Woman's Blackberry Cobbler #1

YES, it's as good as it looks!!! We made homemade whipping cream to go with it...well Traci made it, but that's beside the point. So bumps, yeeeees.... You're supposed to put the cobbler into a baking dish, but she doesn't say what size. Perhaps you all would instinctively know, alas, I did not. The first time I made the cobbler I used a deep-dish pie plate, not good, spilled over the sides. This time I used a 9x13 pan and reduced the hour baking time to 50 minutes. I'm on the hunt for the right "baking dish" so it can be a bit thicker, but it tasted divine and in the end that's all that matters! YUM!!!

taco soup

2008-08-23T21:30:00.001-07:00

This soup is not only yummy, it's easy and fast to make. If you can open a can (which is actually the hardest step at my house, I've got to get a new one--soon), the most time consuming step is browning the hamburger or ground turkey. I've used both kinds of meat and my family prefers ground turkey. In this instance, I'm happy to give 'em what they want.

1 pound hamburger or ground turkey

1/2 c. onion optional

2 cans (8 oz.) Tomato Sauce

2 cans (16 oz.) Stewed Tomatoes - Any kind, you can't go wrong. Chop or slightly blend.

2 cans Ranch Style Pinto Beans - Substitute 1 can kidney, black, etc. if you need/want to.

2 pkgs. or 1/4 c. taco seasoning

3 c. water

HINT Okay, so here's the deal, this is the recipe but there's a lot of room for play here. Be Creative! Sometimes. I add a can of drained corn, or green beans, you can mix it up.

DIRECTIONS Combine all ingredients into a large pot, bring to a boil, simmer until ready to serve.

Grab your favorite corn chips, grate some cheese, put out the container of sour cream, serve up some sliced or mashed avocado, if people like 'em, slice up some olives, and let your family go crazy. Freezes very well!

Jaxsen "loves" German Ginger Cookies

2008-08-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

Russ announced it's "Food Day" at the Wenatchee World. Every team was assigned to bring food from a different country while Managers have the option to choose between Germany and Spain. He thought I might like to whip something up from Germany because that's where much of my heritage is from. Instantly thoughts of potatoes and sauerkraut came to mind, but then these little babies surfaced and I couldn't resist. Plain or iced they're delicious.

3/4 Cup Crisco
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg
1/4 Cup Molasses unsulphured
2 Cups Flour
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Cloves
1 Teaspoon Ginger

Cream shortening and sugar; add egg and molasses; beat until fluffy. Sift all dry ingredients and add to mixture.

Chill dough. I'm impatient so I tossed the cookie dough in the freezer for 15 minutes and then filled my cookie trays. I let each tray wait in the freezer while I cooked a batch and continued rotating them until the last tray went into the oven. Shape dough into marble size balls and roll each in sugar, or leave plain and ice later.

Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool before removing from pan.

Pretty them up by drizzling with Powdered Sugar Glaze.

German Pancakes

2008-08-16T20:54:00.001-07:00

This recipe has been in my family for as long as I can remember. I took this recipe and used it while on my mission, in college and now with my family. It makes a great treat any time of the day and is super easy to make.

1 c. milk

1 c. flour

6 eggs

3-4 tbsp. butter

1/4 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine all ingredients except butter. Melt butter in a 9x13 cake pan & take out of the oven. Pour mixed ingredients in pan with melted butter. Bake for 20-25 minutes. I like to check at 20 minutes as sometimes it can be overcooked at 25. Serve with syrup.

Chocolate Malt-O-Meal

2008-08-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

I don't think she realized her dad fixed himself the very same breakfast earlier this morning. She probably smelled it while she slept and it embedded itself into her subconscious so firmly that when she sauntered downstairs, half-asleep, the first words out of her mouth were, "Mom, will you make Chocolate Malt-O-Meal for breakfast, with toast?"

So after taking this totally cute shot, cute because I think my kids are cute especially first thing in the morning, I realized the cellophane wrapper gave the Malt-O-Meal box an ugly glare. So, ONE - MORE - TIME!

Better!

*If you would like to buy this yummy hot cereal, for your cute kids, check your local Wal-Mart or Super Wal-Mart. Here, in Wenatchee, you won't find it anywhere else.

French Toast

2008-08-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

I've loved French Toast for as long as I can remember. It's simple, quick to make, and you can top it with syrup, whipping cream, jams or jellies, even powdered sugar.

DIRECTIONS In a shallow dish, beat eggs, whisk with milk, add in salt, sugar, and cinnamon. YUM! Pull out your griddle and spritz with cooking spray. Dip each piece of bread in mixture making sure to coat both sides. Place slices on griddle and turn when golden brown. Serve hot!

3 eggs

1 c. milk

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. sugar

Cinnamon to your liking

YAYA's Cheese Popcorn

2008-08-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know this is a cooking blog and we all know I'm not Yaya. My neighbor, Wendy, turned my kids onto this stuff last week and they love it. Yesterday, when she went to Fred Meyer, she bought them their very own bag and they were anxious for me to try it. Four eyes, staring at me, anxiously awaiting my verdict, hoping I'd find it as delicious as they did so it could be added to our ever growing grocery list. I was expecting it to be orange and was pleasantly surprised by the use of white cheddar. My walls thank Yaya for that one. The kids weren't disappointed, I thought it was delectable and terribly addicting. Yaya's is a keeper.

*I went to Fred Meyers to buy Yaya's White Cheddar Popcorn and didn't find it with the popcorn or chips...it's located in the Health Food Section and was only $1.59 a bag. Excellent!

Picking the Perfect Apple

2008-08-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

Since I live in the Apple Capital of the World it's imperative you leave knowing how to pick a crisp apple. Russ and I rented an apartment from a local apple grower, Dave. Dave took us to his orchard and taught us how to pick 'em.

Dave told us to look at the calyx (bottom) end of the apple. That's right. See how this one is closed up tight? That's what you look for, a sealed bottom. You'll be horrified when you go to the store and see all the bottoms with gaping holes, and you'll be dissapointed when you bite into one of those babies because it'll taste like mush, YUCK! Just think, now you can pick apples with confidence and I bet you even feel a bit of pride as you sift through the selection that you know how. Go ahead, smile, you know you want to.

Slice it up with a knife or find yourself one of these cool contraptions.

Pancakes

2008-08-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

Another one of my favorite recipies from the "Fannie Farmer Cookbook". Jaxsen had a friend spend the night, this is what I made for them this morning.

HINT The amount of milk you use will determine how thick these pancakes are. Start with the smaller amount suggested and add more if the batter seems too thick. Try to have the milk at room temperature before mixing and take care not to overbeat.

1/2-3/4 c. milk
(I sometimes use powder milk mix as a substitute.
3 tbsp. powder milk mix for every 1/2 c. of water)

2 tbsp. melted butter

1 egg

1 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS Beat the milk, butter, and egg lightly in a mixing bowl. Mix in the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Lightly grease the griddle. Heat the griddle to a moderate heat until a few drips of cold water sprinkled on the griddle form rapid moving globules.

Pour about 1/4 cup of batter on the griddle. Add chocolate chips for those who like them. Bake on the griddle until the cakes are full of bubbles on the top and the undersides are lightly browned. Turn with spatula and brown the other sides. Place on plate and place a large lid over them to keep them warm until served. Serve with syrup.

YIELDS 8-9 Pancakes

Muddy Buddies

2008-08-08T09:08:00.001-07:00

9 Cups Chex Cereal or Generic Pockets
1/4 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1 Cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Pour cereal in a bowl, set aside. Pop the bowl with the butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter into the microwave for a minute. Stir 'til smooth, add the vanilla, stir some more.

Drizzle the chocolate mixture over the cereal, stir, drizzle, stir, drizzle. I really like the word drizzle, I can even say it 10 times really fast! Begin adding in the powdered sugar, sprinkle, stir...

...sprinkle, stir, sprinkle, stir. Here's a tip: If you have a paper bag, put the chocolate drizzled mix into bag, add powdered sugar and shake, shake, shake. Very fun!

Caramel

2008-08-07T18:09:00.000-07:00

Bring butter, brown sugar, and Karo syrup to a boil on medium heat.

That's right.

Add sweetened condensed milk. This is my personal favorite, Fat Free! Heaven knows I need all the Fat Freeness I can get. Besides, then I can eat a little bit more right? Ya, I didn't think so but it was worth a try.

See that beautiful dark spot? That's vanilla, but not just any vanilla...Mexican Vanilla...mmm, it's the best! Now, stir, stir, stir, while it's boiling but DON'T scrape the sides! We want this creeeammmy, if the sides get scraped it'll turn out grainy and that just wouldn't be right, would it?

After the ingredients are well combined, lower the temperature to a simmer until caramel reaches a soft-ball stage. What's that? I'm glad you asked. I'm going to show you but not just yet.

Look, it's thickened up and appearing very creamilicious. Let's see if it's reached that soft-ball stage.

You'll need a bowl with about a 1/2 cup of cold water in it. Take a clean spoon and scoop up some of that lucious caramel.

Drop the caramel into the cold water.

If it's ready you should be able to form a soft, flexible ball.

When you remove the ball from water, it will flatten like a pancake after a few moments in your hand. Perfect! Let the caramel stay warm on the stove top and let's get popping the corn, shall we?

Notice the paper towles on the counter and the fact that there's no bowl? Have I gone crazy? No. We don't want any old maids that might end up cracking a tooth. The best way I know of is to let the popcorn pile up on the paper towles. My friend, Jen, taught me that and she learned the technique from her mom, Jeanette. We don't know who Jeanette learned it from but we're glad she did. Do you have to use paper towles? No, but if you do the leftover mess is easily folded up in the towles and tossed. If you're out of paper towles you'll just have to deal with it.

Here it comes...

Here are the left over old maids. Old maids, hmmm, seems sad when you think about it. Okay, let's not dwell on possible object lessons. Chuck those babies in the garbage.

Stir the carmel into the popcorn gradually. Drizzle a little, stir a little, drizzle a little, stir a little, you get it.

Mmmmm.... Can you taste it?

Voila! I like to put a layer of wax paper over it and then saran wrap. There's lots of caramel left so let's use some for dipping apples. BTW, do you know how to pick an apple?

Since I live in the Apple Capital of the World it's imperative you leave knowing how to pick a perfect, crisp apple to dip into this luscious sauce.

Slice it up with a knife or find yourself one of these cool contraptions.

Dip it...you can already taste it can't you? It's gonna be goooood! That's a promise.

Store the left-over in the fridge. When nobody's looking, get a spoon and have yourself a little carmelicious treat, I won't tell.

CARAMEL

1/2 Cup Butter

1 Pound Brown Sugar (2 1/3 cup)

1 Cup White Karo Syrup

1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Logan "craves" Pumpkin Roll

2008-08-04T08:24:00.001-07:00

Beat 3 eggs on high, add sugar, pumpkin, lemon juice, and flour. Add spices and salt.

Pour onto jelly roll pan lined with wax paper (smoothest side up), spray a bit of cooking spray over paper for easy removal. Bake for 12-15 minutes @ 375 degrees. While baking, beat cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar 'til creamy.

When cake is done let cool slightly before turning out onto kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Remove wax paper and discard.

To prevent towel from sticking, lightly sprinkle cake with powdered sugar.

Roll towel and cake, begining at the short end, together and cool to form in refrigerator.

Keep rolling, rolling, rolling...

I'm far too impatient to wait so I usually pop it in the freezer until it's no longer warm to the touch. Remove from chilly atmosphere, unroll, spread with cream frosting and reroll (without towel). Sprinkle powdered sugar over top and refrigerate a bit longer (this will make slicing easier). Russ added whipping cream to his and I gave it a try as well, delicious!

CAKE:
3 eggs
1 c sugar
2/3 c canned pumpkin
1 tsp lemon juice
3/4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt

CREAM FILLING:

1 pkg cream cheese
8 tbsp butter
1 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Bake for 12-15 minutes @ 375 degrees.

Waffles & Bacon

2008-08-03T09:36:00.001-07:00

I like making homemade waffles for breakfast sometimes. The Belgiam waffles are the best. I make them from scratch from a recipe out of the "Fannie Farmer Cookbook". There are a couple of recipies I really use in here and the book is starting to fall apart so best to get the recipe online as not to forget it.
Waffles

2 eggs, well beaten

1 c. milk (sometimes I will substitute a powder milk mix)

3 tbsp. salad oil

1 1/2 c. flour

3 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS Mix the eggs, milk, and oil in a large bowl or pitcher. Stir in the flour, baking powder, sugar, and sald and mix until blended.

Heat the waffle iron, spray with non-stick spray, pour in enough batter as not to go clear out to the edge of the iron or it will grow and overspill edges. Close lid and bake until your iron signals or until the steaming stops and the waffles are crisp, tender, and brown.

(Recipe makes almost 4 large belgiam waffles)

Bacon
We like to cook bacon in the oven instead of on a skillet or griddle. Very simple.

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

Line cookie sheet with tinfoil and lay out 1 package of bacon.

Put in oven and cook to desired crispness. We like crispy bacon, so I turn each slice of bacon over once during the cooking process.

Chocolate Peanut-Butter No Bakes

2008-07-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

A SUNDAY TRADITION

4 c. Sugar

6 Tbsp. cocoa or 1/2 c.

2 sticks butter (the real stuff makes all the difference)

1 c. milk

1 c. peanut butter

1 Tsp. vanilla

4-6 c. quick oats (must be quick -- if you're out, blend some up.)

In heavy saucepan bring to a boil sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk. Let boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add peanut butter, vanilla, and oatmeal. Transfer to small rectangular pan or drop by spoonfulls onto wax paper. Let cool, or dig in if you can't wait...we do it all the time!

Oriental Cabbage Salad+Chicken

2008-07-14T21:42:00.000-07:00

1 medium head green cabbage (or Napa cabbage)

2 pkg chicken flavored Ramen noodles

1 cup slivered almonds

1 tbsp. sesame seeds

4-5 green onions, sliced

1 stick butter or margarine

2 cups chicken

DRESSING
1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1/4 cup white vinegar

DIRECTIONS Shred cabbage, add sliced green onions, and place in a large bowl. In a large saute pan, melt the butter or margarine. Crumble Ramen noodles in the package. Remove packet of seasoning from the noodles and saute noodles with the slivered almonds and sesame seeds until golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes and add to cabbage & onions. Whisk oil, sugar, vinegar and soy sauce in a bowl. Toss with cabbage/noodle mix. Serve immediately and try to refrain from eating the whole bowl yourself!

Swedish Pancakes a.k.a. Skinny Hotcakes a.k.a. Powdered Sugars

2008-07-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

Jax informed me last night that since Russ and Logan were leaving for Scout Camp today he was the man of the house. Not only is he the man of the house, he also get's to decide what will be for breakfast.
"Mom, I want powdered sugars in the morning and you're gonna make 'em!" His upturned nose, scrunched eyebrows and determined eyes ordered.
This was no request, this was a direct order. I don't take orders very well...they just rub me wrong and make me want to do the exact opposite.
"Jax, do you think being the man of the house means you tell everyone what to do?"
He shook his head in the affirmative.
I replied, "Well, it doesn't! It means you're supposed to make sure the family is well taken care of and it means you treat the women that live here with love and respect, using please and thank you."
He listened and then responded kindly, "Mom, I would like powdered sugars for breakfast, please."
I couldn't resist, he's so dang cute!

It just doesn't get much simpler than this:

5 eggs

milk to the 2 c. line

1 c. flour

dash of salt

Blend it up baby!

My kids scarf these babies down so fast I use two frying pans simultaneously to keep up. Medium-high heat and some of this...

Any brand will do. Spray it lightly between each pancake.

Pour the batter and tip the pan around until the batter makes a thin layer covering the bottom, blink and it will be just about time to turn that golden, soft, hotcake over. Just in case you're having doubts it should look like this.

I like to drizzle syrup on mine, but if you're like the Jax Man you might prefer to pour on the powdered sugar, roll 'em up, and shove 'em in your mouth like there's no tomorrow!

Winger's Chicken Wings

2008-06-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from my brother Bret (Julie's husband). It is a copy-cat recipe that has been modified (my kind of "simple design")

1 Bottle of Franks Red Hot Sauce

2 Cup Brown Sugar

5 Tablespoon Honey

Mix in pan and heat (on moderate heat).

Cook pre-breaded chicken according to instructions (I used frozen chicken wing, soaked them overnight in salt water and then cooked in the oven for about 40 min. at 350 degrees), then submerge into Winger's sauce. Serve with Blue Cheese Dressing and Celery.

Note: Some internet recipe's call for heating the sauce to a moderate boil for 10 minutes. I found this to really thicken the sauce more than I like, so I just heat/mix it until bubbles begin to form then take it off the stove.

These were a big hit at the party and people commented on how moist they were. The sauce was excellent. It made enough for 2 batches.

Sweet & Sour Pinapple Appetizers

2008-06-23T10:45:00.001-07:00

1 (15 1/4 oz.) can pineapple chunks, undrained
1 (8 1/2 oz.) can whole water chestnuts, drained
16 slices bacon, cut in half
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup tomato catsup
1/4 cup water
2 TBS. red wine vinegar
1 TBS. cornstarch
1 TBS. soy sauceDrain pineapple, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Cut water chestnuts in half. Pre-cook bacon a little to where they are still soft and haven't crisped up. Wrap bacon around water chestnut halves; top with pineapple chuncks and secure with wooden toothpicks. Lay on cooking sheet and set aside.
In small saucepan, over med-high heat, cook and stir reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, catsup, water, vinegar, cornstarch and soy sauce until mixture thickens and begins to boil.
Brush pineapple appetizers with sauce. Broil 8 inches from heat source for 8 minutes on each side or until bacon is cooked. Brushing sauce occasionally. Serve with remaining sauce.

French Breakfast Puffs

2008-06-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

My kids love French Breakfast Puffs! So much so they beg for them, often. There are five people in our family and I always make twelve puffs. If you do the math you know they don't divide out evenly. My kids never fail to ask, "Sooooo, how many will we each get?" This is because they know that 'sometimes' I say, "I'm not having any today." Yells of, "Three each" followed by jumping up and down ensue. Today I said, "I'm having one (couldn't resist) and your dad's having...(wait for it) two." Can you hear the excitement? I learned how to make these in 9th Grade Home Economics and I've been making them ever since. They're quick, fun to make, and ohhhh soooo yummy!

2 c. bisquick

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 tbsp. soft butter

3/4 c. milk

1 egg

DIRECTIONS Combine ingredients. Spoon into prepared muffin tin (about 1/2 full). Bake 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Remove onto wire rack for cooling. Coat with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture (2/3 c. sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon). Enjoy!

No Bisquick? No problem! The Pioneer Woman makes a mouth watering batch of French Breakfast Puffs from scratch.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

2008-06-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

1 Cup Boiling Water

2 Cups Sugar

1/2 Cup Butter

2 Cups Powdered Milk

Mix in blender until smooth. Will be thin but thickens after setting. Keep in Refrigerator.

Candy Bar Cake

2008-06-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

My family LOVES Candy Bar Cake!!! This is a pic of Russ's b-day cake. We usually make two of them. One for birthday's celebrated with our own family and one for the Dixon-Butcherite Celebration, if they don't occur on the same day. We all have our own favorite candy bar so the only thing that changes is the topping. This year I found myself without caramel or sweetened condensed milk so I made my own. I must say the cake was extra goooooood! You know, the kinda good where you can't stop eating and even when you do quit it's all you can think about until it's completely gone.

1 - Devils Food Cake Mix

1 - 12oz. Jar Caramel Topping

1 - 14 oz. Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 - 12oz. Tub Cool Whip

2 - Candy Bars (frozen)

Bake cake in 9x13 pan according to instructions on box. Cool. Poke holes in cake (all over, don't be shy). Mix caramel and condensed milk together. Pour half the mixture over top of cake making sure to drizzle it into the holes. Pour the other half back into the caramel jar and store in the fridge for up to two weeks. Frost with Cool Whip. Crush frozen candy bars and sprinkle over top.

*Favorites: Snickers, Skor, Butterfinger, Take 5, Reeses, Whoppers

Out of caramel? Use this homemade caramel recipe, it works great in this cake!

Sugar	Liquid Stevia	Stevia Extract Powder	Concentrated Stevia Clear Liquid
1 tsp	2-3 drops	n/a		4-6 drops
2 tsp	4-6 drops	n/a		8-12 drops
1 Tbsp	6-9 drops	n/a		1/8 tsp
1 cup	1 tsp	1/3 to 1/2 tsp		1 Tbsp
2 cup	2 tsp	2/3 - 1 tsp		2 Tbsp