Sunday, February 27, 2011

Maple Topped Oven Pancake

My kids LOVE breakfast for dinner.  Who doesn't?  But I have grown weary of just making pancakes and waffles!  So here is a new recipe that is just perfect for the cause!  I hope you ENJOY!
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup margarine or butter
1/2 cup maple-flavored syrup
1 1/2 cups Bisquick® Original baking mix
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Maple-flavored syrup, if desired

Heat oven to 350ยบ. Heat 1/2 cup brown sugar, the margarine and syrup in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Pour into ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.
Beat remaining ingredients in medium bowl, using wire whisk or fork, until blended. Carefully pour over syrup mixture.
Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes or until top springs back when touched in center. Cut into 3-inch squares; turn each square upside down onto plate. Serve immediately, with maple-flavored syrup.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Mediterranean Tuna Noodle Casserole

I'm not big into casseroles.  I don't know why, I'm just not.  Never have been, until now.  This casserole is so good and now a family favorite. You can also substitute the tuna for chicken.  I have used a rotisserie chicken to make it fast and easy!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for baking dishes
1 bag extra wide egg noodles
2 red bell peppers, diced and cleaned
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups whole milk or 5 cups of almond milk (great non fat alternative to whole milk)
4 small cans or 2 large tuna, drained
1 small can artichoke hearts, drained and sliced
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 13x9 baking dish and set aside. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook noodles until almost done; drain, and return to pot.

Meanwhile, in a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium. Add bell peppers; season with salt and pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a simmer.

Remove from heat; add mixture to noodles in pot, along with tuna and artichoke hearts. Season with salt and pepper, and toss. Put into baking dish and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Slow Cooker Chili Chicken Tacos

One of my favorite types of food is mexican.  I love the taste and the textures, but I don't love the calories!  This recipe is not only low in fat, but a great source of protein.  You can change it up by using pork or beeg as well! Not to mention, the kids will eat it too! Enjoy!
SLOW COOKER CHILI CHICKEN TACOS
4- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
1/2 cup your favorite salsa
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo
1 tablespoon chili powder
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 hard corn taco shells
Cilantro, shredded cheese, lime wedges, and sour cream, for serving (optional)

In slow cooker, combine chicken, garlic, salsa, chiles, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper. Cover; cook on high, 4 hours (or on low, 8 hours).

Transfer chicken to a serving bowl, and shred, using two forks; moisten with cooking juices. Serve in taco shells, with toppings, if desired.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Parmesan Rice

Need a good side?  I always have a great idea for the main dish, but it usually is not enough!  This recipe is a great side to most dishes!  Not to mention is really fast, easy and good! 
1 cup long-grain white rice

coarse salt
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

In a medium saucepan with a lid, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and teaspoon salt. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook until water is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Greek Chicken Cutlets

I love a good chicken recipe and I really love Greek Food.  This recipe is so easy and really yummy.  My kids loved it and I will for sure be making it again! 
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives
4 ounces feta cheese, coarsely crumbled (1 cup)
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds thin chicken cutlets (about 8)

In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, olives, feta, mint, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
Heat a grill pan over high; brush lightly with oil. Season cutlets with salt and pepper. Cook, working in batches as necessary, until chicken is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Top chicken with tomato mixture, and serve.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Muffin Tin Meatloaf

When I think of Meat Loaf, I think of the classic movie "A Christmas Story".  The kid brother won't eat anything at the dinner table and sits in his chair chanting " Meatloaf, meatloaf, double beet loaf!  I HATE meatloaf!"  Well long story short, the mother finally gets him to eat his meatloaf by having him pretending  to be a pig.  It's hystarical mostly because I remember not eating meatloaf as a kid.  I hated it!  But, let's face it!  Most meatloaf really is kind of gross! Isn't it? Well, here is an easy and YES yummy version of meatloaf.  My kids escpecailly love it because it's made in muffin tins.
MUFFIN TIN MEATLOAF
1 1/2 - 2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced into small pieces
1 large egg
1/8 cup of milk
1 cup plain or italian bread crumbs
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon pepper
sprinkle of salt
1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (I use Famous Daves) 
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1 1/2 tablespoonS Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Put ground beef and diced green peppers into a big bowl. Beat egg with milk and add to meat. Then add bread crumbs and all seasonings.  In a small bowl mix BBQ sauce, tomatoes and the Worcestershire sauce together. Pour half of the BBQ sauce mix into the bowl with the meat mixture. Mix the meatloaf together with your hands. Wash your hands. In a greased muffin tin, fill each cup with meatloaf mixture. You can use an ice cream scoop to help you fill each tin. Take the rest of the BBQ mixture and spoon some on top of each meat loaf. Bake for about 20 minutes or until cooked through. 

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Too Cute Valentine Chex Mix

Here is yet another darling but very easy Valentine Day idea!  Not to mention, it's really yummy!
9 cups Rice Chex® cereal (gluten free)
1 cup white vanilla baking chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup red, white and pink candy-coated chocolate candies
1/4 cup red or pink jimmies sprinkles

In large bowl, place cereal. In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
Place 1/2 of the cereal mixture in 1-gallon food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, stir candies and sprinkles into remaining cereal mixture. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes. In serving bowl, mix both cereal mixtures. Store in airtight container.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

For your Valentine Dessert Wontons

Wondering what to do for friends and family at Valenines? Show them you LOVE them by making these Dessert Wontons. I have seen a couple of I versions and thought that I could whip them up and give them away, but alas, I ate them!  So I guess I will be making them again!
VALENTINE DESSERT WONTONS
Fresh banana slices, sliced thin
White Chocolate, shaved
1/2 teaspoon of coconut 
1 dab of store bought caramel sauce
Softened cream cheese
Wonton wrappers
OR
Gala or Fuji Apple slices, sliced small and thin
White Chocolate, shaved
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon and sugar
1/2 teaspoon of store bought caramel sauce 
Softened cream cheese
Wonton wrappers
OR
use whatever sounds good to you!

Place about a half tablespoon of cream cheese in the middle of the wonton wrapper.  Place the rest of ingredients on the cream cheese.  Do not stack too high or the wrappers will tear.  Fold the wonton wrappers in half making a triangle.  Get your fingers damp in luke warm water and brush along the edges to seal the wrapper.
Place in a preheated deep fryer or heat oil to 400 degrees in a shallow pan on the stove top.
Fry the wontons until slightly browned on both sides.
Remove from  fryer and let cool down for about a minute each.   Sprinkle cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar on the wonton and enjoy!  You can also make dipping sauces with caramel, chocolate or raspberry sauces!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

You'll LOVE it, Guacomole

Everyone has their favorite Guacomole recipe.  This is one that I made up from a combination of others that I have had and I LOVE it! I would love to have you share your guacomole recipes with me!  How do you make it?
GUACOMOLE
2-3 avocados - peeled, pitted and mashed (the more ripe an avocado is, the better)
1 large tomato, diced small
1/2 cup of red onion, diced
1/2 cup jalapeno peppers, chopped
chopped fresh cilantro as much to your liking
1 cup of any Italian dressing
dash of salt

Stir above ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.  The longer it sits, the hotter it gets!  ENJOY!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Little Smokies

So, I NEVER... EVER thought I would post a recipe for these little bad boys, but here it is. Just  in time for the BIG game!  My kids are going to LOVE me!  Oh ya and ok, I will admit, they ARE pretty darn good!  Really!  There I said it!
LITTLE SMOKIES
2 large bags little smokies
1 bottle your favorite bbq sauce ( I used Famous Daves)
1 small jar grape or apricot jelly
Mix well all ingrdients.
Cook in crock pot on low heat, stir occasionally.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Game Day Hot Wings

In my mind, the hotter the better! That's why I love this sauce that I found. The recipe below is as close to Winger's wings that I could do. So, come Sunday, we will have these, nacho's and a TON of junk food! Enjoy!
HOT WINGS

2- 2 1/2 pounds of chicken wing pieces
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup Frank's Red Hot Wing sauce (You can buy this by the BBQ sauce at any grocer.)

Place the chicken wings in rows onto a foil lined cookie sheet. Bake at 450 degress for 25 minutes or until crispy on the outside and cooked through.
While the wings are baking, mix the brown sugar and hot sauce together in a small sauce pan and cook over medium heat until sugar is dissoloved and sauce is warmed through.
When wings are done, throw them into a large bowl and pour the sauce over them. Return them to the cookie sheet and bake them for about 5 minutes or so!
Serve warm.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Amazing Killer Nachos

Ok, so I know there are 2 nacho recipes up, but one is a true all american recipe, the other is what I call a show off recipe!  So, just as promised... the most amazing Nachos I have ever had!  Takes a little bit longer to make, but if you are willing, they are worth it!  Happy nachos day!
AMAZING NACHOS!
Tortilla Chips with a hint of lime

4 cups Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork (any recipe will do, but here is one if you need it,  Or for those of you who have Cafe Rio in your area, you can purchase some from them!)
2 1/2 cups shredded Monterey jack or pepper jack cheese
2/3 cup thinly sliced banana peppers and jalapeno peppers
Your favorite queso dip, warmed (here is my favorite)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Salsa, for serving

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Layer half of the chips, pork, cheese, and peppers in a 13x9 pan.  Cover with a second layer.  Placne in oven and bake until cheese is melted and pork is warm, about 10-15 minutes

Remove from oven and top with warmed queso. Sprinkle with cilantro; serve immediately with salsa.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Game Day Nachos

Game Day is coming... And can I be honest?  I don't care for football, but I do enjoy the food!  I love all american junk food and that includes Nachos!  This is a basic nachos recipe, but tomorrows will have the BEST nacho recipe ever! So make sure you come back tomorrow!
1 (13 1/2-ounce) bag of your favorite store-bought large tortilla chips
1 cup refried beans (I like is it spicy, so I use the Spicy Refried Beans)
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped jalapeno chiles
1 small can of chopped chilies
1/2 cup sliced black olives
Fresh cilantro leaves
Chili sauce or hot-pepper sauce
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
Sour cream, for serving (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Top each chip with about 1 teaspoon beans and 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese; evenly divide chiles and olives among tortilla chips. Transfer to an ovenproof serving platter, forming layers; add chili sauce.
Bake until heated through and cheese melts, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove, and garnish with cilantro leaves. Serve immediately topped with tomatoes and sour cream, if desired.
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