I was raised on Hamburger Helper - but there is something like a year's worth of sodium in one serving. Kind of the Great Salt Lake of convenience foods. This may be a little better for you - and just as easy (one pan!) and delicious. Don't deprive your kids of the HH experience!
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 3/4 cups of water
1/3 cup ketchup
small amount of chopped onion
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked (or any other kids of pasta shape)
8 oz. reduced fat cheddar cheese. You can use 8 oz. Velveeta Cheese Product, cut into cubes, but I think this is kind of scary
Brown meat and onion in a large skillet and drain. I dump the meat in a colander and run cold water over it to really get the grease out. Put back in the skillet and add water and ketchup and bring to a boil. Stir in macaroni and cover. Simmer on medium heat for 8 - 10 minutes until the pasta is cooked. Stir in cheese until melted.. Yum on a cold but busy night.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Too Easy Chocolate Cream Pie
This is way too easy - and so good at anytime of the year. Who doesn't like this? You can also use fat free pudding,fat free milk and fat free Cool Whip if you are kind of a free-thinking person.
2 pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
Oreos (or fake Oreos)
4 Tbsp. melted butter
1 8 oz tub Cool Whip
Crush 20 Oreos (put in zip lock bag and smash) and mix with butter in the bottom of a pie pan. Press down to form a crust. Beat pudding mixes and milk in a large bowl with a whisk if you can find it ( or use a big fork and go crazy on it.) Beat for 2 minutes - it will be thick.
Spread 1 1/2 cups of the pudding mixture onto the crust. Stir half of the Cool Whip into the rest of the pudding and spread over the first layer. Top with the rest of the Cool Whip. Told you it was easy. Refrigerate about 3 hours before slicing.
2 pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
Oreos (or fake Oreos)
4 Tbsp. melted butter
1 8 oz tub Cool Whip
Crush 20 Oreos (put in zip lock bag and smash) and mix with butter in the bottom of a pie pan. Press down to form a crust. Beat pudding mixes and milk in a large bowl with a whisk if you can find it ( or use a big fork and go crazy on it.) Beat for 2 minutes - it will be thick.
Spread 1 1/2 cups of the pudding mixture onto the crust. Stir half of the Cool Whip into the rest of the pudding and spread over the first layer. Top with the rest of the Cool Whip. Told you it was easy. Refrigerate about 3 hours before slicing.
Easy Southern Praline Bars
I made this when we discussed Saving Cee Cee Honeycut by Beth Hoffman. It is a great book that led to some deep discussions on "Life Books." We had a Southern night, with key lime pie, crab, Long Island iced tea and flowery hats. Friends and fun and a good book - nothin' better y'all!
24 Graham Crackers, broken into small squares
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Heat oven to 350. Line the bottom of a 13x9 pan with parchment paper. Put down crackers in a single layer to cover the bottom. Heat sugar and butter to boiling, and boil one minute. Stir in vanilla. Pour over crackers, spread to cover. Sprinkle nuts over the top, pushing down slightly. Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool slightly and cut where the divisions were in the crackers. Let cool. Will be a bit sticky and gooey!
24 Graham Crackers, broken into small squares
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Heat oven to 350. Line the bottom of a 13x9 pan with parchment paper. Put down crackers in a single layer to cover the bottom. Heat sugar and butter to boiling, and boil one minute. Stir in vanilla. Pour over crackers, spread to cover. Sprinkle nuts over the top, pushing down slightly. Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool slightly and cut where the divisions were in the crackers. Let cool. Will be a bit sticky and gooey!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Rolo Pretzels
It cracked me up that someone actually asked for the recipe for this. It seems quite obvious, but I won't be judgmental. At least for the next thirty seconds, anyway. Many people who make this put pecans or walnuts on top - which takes it to the next level, but I am too cheap.
One bag Rolo candies, unwrapped (duh - hey, thirty seconds is up)
One bag small pretzels - the ones that look like a floppy figure 8
Heat oven to 350. Put one Rolo on top of each pretzel (duh - oops, sorry). Bake for about 8 minutes, until the Rolos just start to melt. Cool until firm - this may take about an hour.
If you want to be all fancy-pants for holidays, top with appropriate color M&Ms right as they come out of the oven. It's dangerous decorating because the caramel is molten-lava hot. Red for Christmas, pastels for Easter, and so on. You get it.
One bag Rolo candies, unwrapped (duh - hey, thirty seconds is up)
One bag small pretzels - the ones that look like a floppy figure 8
Heat oven to 350. Put one Rolo on top of each pretzel (duh - oops, sorry). Bake for about 8 minutes, until the Rolos just start to melt. Cool until firm - this may take about an hour.
If you want to be all fancy-pants for holidays, top with appropriate color M&Ms right as they come out of the oven. It's dangerous decorating because the caramel is molten-lava hot. Red for Christmas, pastels for Easter, and so on. You get it.
Low-Cal Fruit Dip
OK, for every party you have to plan for the guest who is always on a diet, although she weighs as much as I did as a fetus. This should make her happy. And, make you happy because it is super easy.
small carton thawed fat free Cool Whip
8 oz. fat free cream cheese
4 - 5 packets of Splenda (or whatever you swiped from your last trip to Wendy's)
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix together and refrigerate for a bit. Serve with cut up fruit.
small carton thawed fat free Cool Whip
8 oz. fat free cream cheese
4 - 5 packets of Splenda (or whatever you swiped from your last trip to Wendy's)
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix together and refrigerate for a bit. Serve with cut up fruit.
Beer BBQ Crock Pot Chicken
This is what I'm talking about. Cheap Chicken + Crock Pot Easy + Beer = the Holy Trinity in my book. Working Moms: You can brown the chicken the night before and throw together in the morning. Working Dads - forget it, like you'd be this organized???
Heat a bit of oil in a heavy skillet and brown chicken pieces (whatever is on sale). Put in a crock pot and add salt, pepper, and some onions if you want. Pour 1 cup BBQ sauce (whatever is on sale) over the top. Pour 3/4 can of beer (whatever is in your fridge) over the top. Drink the rest of the beer as you are reading the morning paper. Cook on low for 7 - 8 hours.
Heat a bit of oil in a heavy skillet and brown chicken pieces (whatever is on sale). Put in a crock pot and add salt, pepper, and some onions if you want. Pour 1 cup BBQ sauce (whatever is on sale) over the top. Pour 3/4 can of beer (whatever is in your fridge) over the top. Drink the rest of the beer as you are reading the morning paper. Cook on low for 7 - 8 hours.
Rosemary Potatoes
Easy, easy and good. Have the leftovers for breakfast. With an omelet, that is - not with your Cheerios. This is like an old-fashioned Sunday dinner potato, for those Sundays you actually have time to cook something for more than 20 minutes. Not judging - been there.
Small, red new potatoes - enough for your dinner crowd
Olive oil
Dried rosemary
salt
Heat oven to 375 (or put in with chicken or anything else already in the oven). Place potatoes on a baking sheet and toss with oil. rosemary and a pinch of salt. Bake for about 1 hour and fifteen minutes.
Small, red new potatoes - enough for your dinner crowd
Olive oil
Dried rosemary
salt
Heat oven to 375 (or put in with chicken or anything else already in the oven). Place potatoes on a baking sheet and toss with oil. rosemary and a pinch of salt. Bake for about 1 hour and fifteen minutes.
Fruit Salsa
This is soooooooo gooooooood! Takes a little bit of time, but it is worth it. It is not a hot salsa at all - it is made up of fruit and is sweet. Great to make in the summer when you can actually get a strawberry that is not from a laboratory.
Chips: Take the smaller white tortillas (from the refrigerated section of the Mexican aisle), spray them with a little water (I use my ironing board spray bottle). Sprinkle on a lot of cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake at 350 for about 8-10 minutes. Let cool and cut into sixths. You will have to cook 2 at a time on a cookie sheet. While cooking.......
Salsa: Cut up seasonal fruit into small bites. Use whatever you like, but make sure you have some apples for crunch. I like to use strawberries, grapes, kiwi, pears, peaches and/or blueberries. Mix with enough apple jelly to make a "salsa" consistency. (Educational tidbit: the jelly keeps the fruit from going brown.) Let set in the refrigerator for an hour or so. Drain and serve in a chip/dip bowl - or whatever you have. Dip the cinnamon chips into the fruit for a low-cal taste of summer (Warning - not low-cal if you eat 200, which you will want to do).
Update: Skip the chip making and buy Stacy's Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips. A great invention!
Chips: Take the smaller white tortillas (from the refrigerated section of the Mexican aisle), spray them with a little water (I use my ironing board spray bottle). Sprinkle on a lot of cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake at 350 for about 8-10 minutes. Let cool and cut into sixths. You will have to cook 2 at a time on a cookie sheet. While cooking.......
Salsa: Cut up seasonal fruit into small bites. Use whatever you like, but make sure you have some apples for crunch. I like to use strawberries, grapes, kiwi, pears, peaches and/or blueberries. Mix with enough apple jelly to make a "salsa" consistency. (Educational tidbit: the jelly keeps the fruit from going brown.) Let set in the refrigerator for an hour or so. Drain and serve in a chip/dip bowl - or whatever you have. Dip the cinnamon chips into the fruit for a low-cal taste of summer (Warning - not low-cal if you eat 200, which you will want to do).
Update: Skip the chip making and buy Stacy's Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips. A great invention!
Easy Stromboli
Leftovers always taste better when they have a fancy name. This would be good with any combo of meat/cheese/veggies and dipping sauce. Looks impressive - bonus points!
1 can regular pizza dough (in the dairy case) - don't get the thin crust version
Assortment of meats and cheeses: For example - salami, ham and provolone; ham and Swiss cheese; mozarella, olives, tomatoes, spinach.
1 egg, beaten slightly
Dipping sauce - if desired (I used Ragu for the salami version)
Preheat oven to 400. Grease cookie sheet. Unroll dough onto slightly floured surface and push/pat until it is about 12x10 inches. Arrange meat and cheese, staying 1 inch from the edges. Starting at the long side, roll tightly. Seal ends and press seam down to seal. Brush with egg. Cover loosely with foil that has been sprayed with Pam and bake 20 minutes. Take off foil and bake about 15 more minutes, but watch the bottom so it doesn't burn. Cool for about 5 minutes and cut into slices. Leftovers are good cold!
1 can regular pizza dough (in the dairy case) - don't get the thin crust version
Assortment of meats and cheeses: For example - salami, ham and provolone; ham and Swiss cheese; mozarella, olives, tomatoes, spinach.
1 egg, beaten slightly
Dipping sauce - if desired (I used Ragu for the salami version)
Preheat oven to 400. Grease cookie sheet. Unroll dough onto slightly floured surface and push/pat until it is about 12x10 inches. Arrange meat and cheese, staying 1 inch from the edges. Starting at the long side, roll tightly. Seal ends and press seam down to seal. Brush with egg. Cover loosely with foil that has been sprayed with Pam and bake 20 minutes. Take off foil and bake about 15 more minutes, but watch the bottom so it doesn't burn. Cool for about 5 minutes and cut into slices. Leftovers are good cold!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Chipolte Salad
This doesn't really come from Chipolte (ah, that would be too easy!) - but it reminds me of a Chipolte burrito - Heaven in tinfoil. Easy to make for a big picnic crowd. Would make a Cinco de Mayo fantastico! This recipe comes from Susie- who always has the best pool side parties.
Prepare one box Jiffy cornbread mix - bake and cool
1/2 cup chopped jalapeno pepper (I use chilis because I am a pepper wimp)
1 pkg ranch dressing mix (the dry stuff)
8 oz, sour cream
1 cup mayo
16 oz. can pinto beans, drained
16 oz. can black beans, drained
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green peppers ( I leave this out, pepper wimp - remember?)
1/2 cup chopped onions
3 cups cooked white rice, cooled
15 oz. can corn, drained
Dash of fresh cilantro as a garnish - get it from the produce section in a little container
Combine ranch mix, sour cream and mayo and set aside.
Place 1/2 cornbread, crumbled, in bottom of large serving bowl. Top with 1/2 can of each bean.
Follow with 1/2 of cheese, tomatoes, peppers, onions, rice and corn. Add 1/2 dressing mix.
Repeat layers, and end with the dressing mix. Top with small pieces of cilantro.
Cover and chill for at least two hours.
Add some cooked chicken and heat it up for a few seconds in the microwave for dinner the next day.
Prepare one box Jiffy cornbread mix - bake and cool
1/2 cup chopped jalapeno pepper (I use chilis because I am a pepper wimp)
1 pkg ranch dressing mix (the dry stuff)
8 oz, sour cream
1 cup mayo
16 oz. can pinto beans, drained
16 oz. can black beans, drained
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green peppers ( I leave this out, pepper wimp - remember?)
1/2 cup chopped onions
3 cups cooked white rice, cooled
15 oz. can corn, drained
Dash of fresh cilantro as a garnish - get it from the produce section in a little container
Combine ranch mix, sour cream and mayo and set aside.
Place 1/2 cornbread, crumbled, in bottom of large serving bowl. Top with 1/2 can of each bean.
Follow with 1/2 of cheese, tomatoes, peppers, onions, rice and corn. Add 1/2 dressing mix.
Repeat layers, and end with the dressing mix. Top with small pieces of cilantro.
Cover and chill for at least two hours.
Add some cooked chicken and heat it up for a few seconds in the microwave for dinner the next day.
Summer Tortellini Salad
You could make this in the winter, too. I just don't like to make big dinners in the summer, so you could make a big bowl of this and eat it all week. Boring - yes. Easy - yes. More time to relax - yes.
about three chicken breasts, boiled, cooled and shredded
two 9 oz. cheese rainbow tortellini (in pasta section, refrigerator case)
1/2 cup halved green olives
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese (not that dry stuff)
1 cup shredded cheddar or mozarella cheese
1 cup fat free Italian salad dressing
Cook tortellini according to package directions and drain. Mix pasta gently with chicken. Add other ingredients. Refrigerate until serving time. Stir gently and add more dressing if you think it needs it.
about three chicken breasts, boiled, cooled and shredded
two 9 oz. cheese rainbow tortellini (in pasta section, refrigerator case)
1/2 cup halved green olives
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese (not that dry stuff)
1 cup shredded cheddar or mozarella cheese
1 cup fat free Italian salad dressing
Cook tortellini according to package directions and drain. Mix pasta gently with chicken. Add other ingredients. Refrigerate until serving time. Stir gently and add more dressing if you think it needs it.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Texas Sheet Cake
This is a great frosted brownie. Probably has the word Texas in it because it is so rich and it makes a huge pan of them. Doesn't seem Texan to me, but it is chocolate, and that's all we need, partner! Has some unique directions, so read this one through before starting (yes, Mom...)
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour and 2 cups of sugar
In a saucepan, combine 1 stick butter, 1/2 half cup shortening (Crisco), 1 cup coffee or water, 1/4 cup cocoa (this is the cooking kind, not the drinking kind). Stir and heat until boiling.
Pour the boiling mixture over the flour and sugar. Add 1/2 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix well with an electric mixer.
Pour into a greased 17x11 jelly roll pan (cookie sheet) and bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until brownies are done in the center. Stick a knife in the center to check - if the knife is dry when you take it out, Yee-haw (Texan dialect).
While brownies are baking, prepare the frosting by combining 1 stick butter, 2 Tbs. cocoa, 1/4 cup milk, in a saucepan. Cook until boiling - stir often. Mix in 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla until frosting is smooth. You can use an electric mixer because getting the lumps out is hard. Pour warm frosting over warm brownies. Cool. Makes 48 bars.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour and 2 cups of sugar
In a saucepan, combine 1 stick butter, 1/2 half cup shortening (Crisco), 1 cup coffee or water, 1/4 cup cocoa (this is the cooking kind, not the drinking kind). Stir and heat until boiling.
Pour the boiling mixture over the flour and sugar. Add 1/2 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix well with an electric mixer.
Pour into a greased 17x11 jelly roll pan (cookie sheet) and bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until brownies are done in the center. Stick a knife in the center to check - if the knife is dry when you take it out, Yee-haw (Texan dialect).
While brownies are baking, prepare the frosting by combining 1 stick butter, 2 Tbs. cocoa, 1/4 cup milk, in a saucepan. Cook until boiling - stir often. Mix in 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla until frosting is smooth. You can use an electric mixer because getting the lumps out is hard. Pour warm frosting over warm brownies. Cool. Makes 48 bars.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you like hot and spicy wings, you'll like this. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to tasts. I'm a wimp - just looking at the bottle is enough for me. This is a special appetizer, meaning it takes a bit of planning and costs more than a bag of Fritos, but is worth it.
4 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded
1/2 of a 12 oz bottle hot sauce ( if you are a nut, you can use the whole bottle)
2 8oz pkg cream cheese
16 oz bottle Ranch dressing
8 oz pkg shredded cheddar cheese
Mix chicken and hot sauce and put in 13x9 pan.
In a saucepan, combine cream cheese and Ranch until smooth. Pour over chicken.
Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 30 minutes at 350 -don't let it brown. Serve warm with taco chips.
4 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded
1/2 of a 12 oz bottle hot sauce ( if you are a nut, you can use the whole bottle)
2 8oz pkg cream cheese
16 oz bottle Ranch dressing
8 oz pkg shredded cheddar cheese
Mix chicken and hot sauce and put in 13x9 pan.
In a saucepan, combine cream cheese and Ranch until smooth. Pour over chicken.
Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 30 minutes at 350 -don't let it brown. Serve warm with taco chips.
Oreo Freakout
My friend Jeanne from Columbus used to make this for potlucks. Ahh - chocolate memories! It is easy to make and so good. It is an ice cream cake, so keep that in mind - you can't leave it sitting out for long. But, it won't last long on the table. Soooooooo good!
one package Oreo cookies
one stick butter, melted
1/2 gallon ice cream (vanilla, mint chocolate chip, moose tracks.....whatever!)
one jar hot fudge ice cream topping
one small Cool Whip container
Crush the cookies and mix with butter. Reserve 4-5 Tablespoons. Spread in a 9x13 pan and pat down well. Slice ice cream (or let it soften and spread it around) and place over the top of the Oreo crust. Pour hot fudge sauce on top. Spread Cool Whip on that and top with reserved Oreo crumbs. Cover with foil and freeze until hard - at least a few hours. Keeps for a week in freezer (ha - it won't last that long)
one package Oreo cookies
one stick butter, melted
1/2 gallon ice cream (vanilla, mint chocolate chip, moose tracks.....whatever!)
one jar hot fudge ice cream topping
one small Cool Whip container
Crush the cookies and mix with butter. Reserve 4-5 Tablespoons. Spread in a 9x13 pan and pat down well. Slice ice cream (or let it soften and spread it around) and place over the top of the Oreo crust. Pour hot fudge sauce on top. Spread Cool Whip on that and top with reserved Oreo crumbs. Cover with foil and freeze until hard - at least a few hours. Keeps for a week in freezer (ha - it won't last that long)
Rosemary Chicken and Vegetables
This looks so gourmet-ish, but is very easy-ish. Sure makes the house smell good, too. If you use a whole roasting chicken, it can be very inexpensive as well. If you want to make a Sunday dinner like Grandma used to make, this is it!
3-4 pound roasting chicken, rinsed with stuff in middle (whatever it is) taken out and thrown away
one lemon
rosemary -I use the dried kind from the spice aisle
salt and pepper
olive oil
chopped potatoes, zucchini, carrots - whatever you like
Put one table spoon rosemary in a bowl. Grate the lemon peel into the bowl. Squeeze the juice from the lemon into the bowl. Add one teaspoon each salt and pepper. Rub chicken with a little olive oil. Rub one tablespoonful of the spice mix onto the chicken. Cut up the lemon and stuff it in the chicken. Put chicken into a pan for the oven. Put vegetables into the spice mix and toss. Add to the roasting pan. Cover with a lid or foil. Bake at 350 for about an hour, remove cover and bake 20 minutes more (for well done chicken - bake a bit less if you like it juicy).
3-4 pound roasting chicken, rinsed with stuff in middle (whatever it is) taken out and thrown away
one lemon
rosemary -I use the dried kind from the spice aisle
salt and pepper
olive oil
chopped potatoes, zucchini, carrots - whatever you like
Put one table spoon rosemary in a bowl. Grate the lemon peel into the bowl. Squeeze the juice from the lemon into the bowl. Add one teaspoon each salt and pepper. Rub chicken with a little olive oil. Rub one tablespoonful of the spice mix onto the chicken. Cut up the lemon and stuff it in the chicken. Put chicken into a pan for the oven. Put vegetables into the spice mix and toss. Add to the roasting pan. Cover with a lid or foil. Bake at 350 for about an hour, remove cover and bake 20 minutes more (for well done chicken - bake a bit less if you like it juicy).
Monday, June 20, 2011
Crockpot Baked Potatoes
Who has time to make baked potatoes? Not me, but I love 'em. Put these in before you go to work (or on one of those days when you are not into cooking on a real stove). I suppose you could top them with broccoli or something healthy, but give me a dollop (love that word!) of butter AND sour cream.
4 medium sized baking potatoes, washed and with a few holes poked in the skin
Put the potatoes in a crockpot and turn onto medium. Cook all day. Don't use giant potatoes or they will not finish in time for dinner. That's it!
4 medium sized baking potatoes, washed and with a few holes poked in the skin
Put the potatoes in a crockpot and turn onto medium. Cook all day. Don't use giant potatoes or they will not finish in time for dinner. That's it!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Parchment Paper
Why didn't I discover this years ago? You can buy a roll in the tin foil section of the grocery store. Use it to line cookie sheets and you'll never have to scrub baked on sprinkles again! If you didn't make the paper too messy, fold it up and save it to use again. I also line 13x9 pans before making brownies - and after they are cool, pull the whole thing out and cut the brownies with a pizza cutter. No pan to wash and you brownies don't look prechewed - yippee! Makes baking so much sweeter!
Super Easy Meatballs
This is so easy, it is embarrassing. I suppose you could make your own meatballs, but there would be some nasty dishes to wash and I'm just not into it. Plus, if you are making meatball appetizers, you are probably having people over and might need to spend more of your time cleaning the gunk off your floors (or maybe that's just me).
1 large bag frozen meatballs
1 bottle chili sauce (sold in the ketchup aisle)
1 large jar grape jelly (not jam - too seedy)
Mix together and put in a crockpot for a few hours or on low on your stove.
If there are any leftovers, warm up the next day and serve over rice for a fake Chinese dinner.
1 large bag frozen meatballs
1 bottle chili sauce (sold in the ketchup aisle)
1 large jar grape jelly (not jam - too seedy)
Mix together and put in a crockpot for a few hours or on low on your stove.
If there are any leftovers, warm up the next day and serve over rice for a fake Chinese dinner.
Bears in the Snow
I made this up one day using whatever I could find in the pantry to take to a NFL playoff game party. Kind of like the "Chopped" show on the Food Channel, where the chefs make meals with odd food items. Since the Chicago Bears were playing in a blizzard, it worked! You can substitute another cookie or cracker for the bears, but it won't be as cute. I suppose you could pick the tigers out of animal crackers if the Bengals ever get in the playoffs, like that would ever happen.
One package plain Teddy Grahams
About 4-5 cups mini twist pretzels
About 3 - 4 cups Crispix
One small can mixed nuts
One bag white chocolate chips
Mix together. It won't last long with the salty/sweet thing going on.
One package plain Teddy Grahams
About 4-5 cups mini twist pretzels
About 3 - 4 cups Crispix
One small can mixed nuts
One bag white chocolate chips
Mix together. It won't last long with the salty/sweet thing going on.
Cookie Frosting That Gets Hard
Nothing like having your sugar cookies all stuck together because the icing never firmed up. Take a few spoonfuls at a time of canned frosting (not whipped) and put in the microwave for about 10 seconds, until it just starts to melt. Stir and quickly frost cookies. You can add a drop of food coloring if you want. Set cookies aside for about an hour and they will be good to travel or pack and mail. Only do a few spoonfuls at a time and apply thinly on the cookies. Easy and foolproof - yippee.
Fresh Apple Cake
This is a delicious, heavy German cake that even tastes better the next day. Appropriate for a book club meeting for Sarah's Key, a heavy story that takes place in World War II. You will never forget the cake or the story. I got the recipe from Belva, my school secretary when I taught in Grove City, Ohio - another unforgettable!
4 to 5 medium apples, peeled and diced
3/4 cup oil
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
Mix first three ingredients. Sift dry ingredients over the top and mix together. Bake in greased and floured loaf pan or 8x8 pan. Bake for one hour at 350 for a loaf pan and 40 minutes for 8x8. Test with a toothpick to see if done. Does not need frosting. Also makes a great coffee cake.
4 to 5 medium apples, peeled and diced
3/4 cup oil
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
Mix first three ingredients. Sift dry ingredients over the top and mix together. Bake in greased and floured loaf pan or 8x8 pan. Bake for one hour at 350 for a loaf pan and 40 minutes for 8x8. Test with a toothpick to see if done. Does not need frosting. Also makes a great coffee cake.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Crab Pizza Appetizer
This is so easy and a crowd pleaser. You can make the expensive version with real crab pieces from a fish market, or use the fake packaged crab from Krogers. That's what I do and it tastes fine.
Make this for a book club discussion on Olive Kitteridge, which takes place in Maine. I think I will grow up to be Olive (opinionated and crotchety), except living in Cincinnati. I'll have to think of a different snack, since there are no lobsters on the Ohio River (but there are some wierd fish - and people -on it).
One packages softened cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
One small bottle seafood cocktail sauce
One package fake crab - or about 1 1/2 cups of the real thing - torn into small pieces
Crackers
Combine cream cheese and mayonnaise. Spread on a serving plate. Spread cocktail sauce on top - just enough to cover and make it look like a pizza. Sprinkle crab pieces on top. Cover with foil and refrigerate for a few hours. Serve with crackers for dipping.
Make this for a book club discussion on Olive Kitteridge, which takes place in Maine. I think I will grow up to be Olive (opinionated and crotchety), except living in Cincinnati. I'll have to think of a different snack, since there are no lobsters on the Ohio River (but there are some wierd fish - and people -on it).
One packages softened cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
One small bottle seafood cocktail sauce
One package fake crab - or about 1 1/2 cups of the real thing - torn into small pieces
Crackers
Combine cream cheese and mayonnaise. Spread on a serving plate. Spread cocktail sauce on top - just enough to cover and make it look like a pizza. Sprinkle crab pieces on top. Cover with foil and refrigerate for a few hours. Serve with crackers for dipping.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Pecan Praline Cake
So easy!!! This would be a great treat to munch on while discussing the book Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers. It is about Hurricane Katrina and how good people were treated so horribly. The fact that it is a true story makes it even more memorable. This cake is so yummy it will make you talk with a Cajun accent! Also good for a Fat Tuesday party or if the New Orleans Saints ever get in the Super Bowl again.
1 package butter pecan cake mix (yippee - so easy!)
1 container coconut pecan frosting (double yippee)
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350. Spray Bundt pan (or 13x9 pan)
Mix cake mix, frosting (wierd, but effective), eggs, oil , water and half of pecans. Sprinkle the rest of the pecans in the bottom of the pan (save for the top if using 13x9). Pour in batter. Bake for 50 minutes (about 35 for 13x9) until a toothpick or knife comes out clean. Turn over after cooling for about 15 minutes. So sweet it doesn't really need a glaze.
1 package butter pecan cake mix (yippee - so easy!)
1 container coconut pecan frosting (double yippee)
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350. Spray Bundt pan (or 13x9 pan)
Mix cake mix, frosting (wierd, but effective), eggs, oil , water and half of pecans. Sprinkle the rest of the pecans in the bottom of the pan (save for the top if using 13x9). Pour in batter. Bake for 50 minutes (about 35 for 13x9) until a toothpick or knife comes out clean. Turn over after cooling for about 15 minutes. So sweet it doesn't really need a glaze.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Layered Cheesecake Bowl
Some would call this a trifle, but that sounds like it is not worth a lot. And this is worth tons! Delicious and pretty, too. And, not too many calories. Yippee is all I can say.
Combine 3 cups sliced strawberries and 3 Tbsp sugar. Set aside.
Cut one angel food cake or pound cake into 1 inch cubes. Trim the crusts off so you just have the white cake. Eat the crusts while you are making the rest of the dessert.
Beat two 8 ounce packages fat free cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups skim milk (or 2%). Add one package 3.4 ounce vanilla instant pudding mix.
Blend in 1 1/2 cups fat free Cool Whip. Spoon half of the mixture into a large glass bown (another bowl is OK, but it won't look so pretty). Top with the cake, berries (save a few) and then the remaining cheese mixture. Top with more Cool Whip and the few berries as a decoration. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Combine 3 cups sliced strawberries and 3 Tbsp sugar. Set aside.
Cut one angel food cake or pound cake into 1 inch cubes. Trim the crusts off so you just have the white cake. Eat the crusts while you are making the rest of the dessert.
Beat two 8 ounce packages fat free cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups skim milk (or 2%). Add one package 3.4 ounce vanilla instant pudding mix.
Blend in 1 1/2 cups fat free Cool Whip. Spoon half of the mixture into a large glass bown (another bowl is OK, but it won't look so pretty). Top with the cake, berries (save a few) and then the remaining cheese mixture. Top with more Cool Whip and the few berries as a decoration. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Easy to make, easy to mail. So much faster to make cookies in a bar rather than scooping with a spoon. And mixing with an electric mixer to boot! I'm all about fast and easy. (Don't take that the wrong way).
Heat oven to 350 and spray a 13x9 pan.
Mix one package butter recipe cake mix, one 3.4 oz. package instant vanilla pudding, one stick melted butter, 2/3 cup milk, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla at medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in one cup or so of chocolate chips. Bake 45 minutes. What could be easier!!
Heat oven to 350 and spray a 13x9 pan.
Mix one package butter recipe cake mix, one 3.4 oz. package instant vanilla pudding, one stick melted butter, 2/3 cup milk, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla at medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in one cup or so of chocolate chips. Bake 45 minutes. What could be easier!!
Summer Pasta Salad
Take this to a potluck if you want people to think you eat healty all the time. (Insert hysterical laughter here).
3 cups uncooked pasta (farfalle is cool - looks like butterflies)
2 cups uncooked spinach leaves, torn into bite sized pieces
1 cup feta cheese crumbles
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup chick peas (garbanzo beans) rinsed well because they really smell. You can leave them out if you want.
1/2 cup light or fat free vinagarette dressing
Add cooked and chopped chicken or pepperoni if you want
I also add halved black olives - yum
Cook and drain pasta. Place in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix lightly. Cover and refrigerate a few hours. Mix before serving.
3 cups uncooked pasta (farfalle is cool - looks like butterflies)
2 cups uncooked spinach leaves, torn into bite sized pieces
1 cup feta cheese crumbles
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup chick peas (garbanzo beans) rinsed well because they really smell. You can leave them out if you want.
1/2 cup light or fat free vinagarette dressing
Add cooked and chopped chicken or pepperoni if you want
I also add halved black olives - yum
Cook and drain pasta. Place in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix lightly. Cover and refrigerate a few hours. Mix before serving.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Lemon Bar Cheesecake
Easy and super good. Would be great with a glass of iced tea and a discussion on The Help, an incredible book about life in the South in the 1960's as told from the maids' point of view. Then have another piece while you are cleaning up after your messy friends left. If they were very messy, have two.
1 package lemon cake mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
8 oz. package cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
2Tbs. fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350. You'll need an ungreased 13x9 pan.
Combine mix, oil and 1 egg two minutes on low speed. Reserve one cup of the mixture. Put the rest in the pan and pat down. Bake for 15 minutes. In the meantime, mix the cream cheese on low for 30 seconds. Add juice, sugar and 1 egg. Beat 2 minutes. Spread onto the crust, which may still be a bit gummy. Top with reserved cake mix. Bake 15 minutes and cool. Keep in the refrigerator.
1 package lemon cake mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
8 oz. package cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
2Tbs. fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350. You'll need an ungreased 13x9 pan.
Combine mix, oil and 1 egg two minutes on low speed. Reserve one cup of the mixture. Put the rest in the pan and pat down. Bake for 15 minutes. In the meantime, mix the cream cheese on low for 30 seconds. Add juice, sugar and 1 egg. Beat 2 minutes. Spread onto the crust, which may still be a bit gummy. Top with reserved cake mix. Bake 15 minutes and cool. Keep in the refrigerator.
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