Tomato-Basil Chicken

This recipe is so so so good and so so so easy.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 of a 1-pound package medium tube-shaped pasta (ziti), cooked according to package directions (about 4 cups)

• Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook or 10 minutes until it's well browned on both sides.
• Stir the soup, milk, cheese, basil and garlic powder in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with the pasta.

Pumpkin Freeze

2 c. ginger snaps, crushed

1/3 c. melted butter

2 T. brown sugar

1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cloved

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/8 tsp. salt

1 quart vanilla ice cream (soft)

Mix crushed ginger snaps with melted butter and 2 T. brown sugar. Press into a 9X13 inch pan. For the filling mix together pumpkin, 1/2 cup brown sugar and all the spices. Fold in ice cream. Spread evenly over crust, cover and freeze. To serve, cut into squares and serve. You can make extra ginger snap crust to sprinkle on the top. Drizzle with caramel.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna Casserole

6 chicken breasts cooked and diced or shredded

2-3 c. diced ham

2 -1 pound boxes of pasta (whatever shape you like...I use penne or bowtie)

1 - 16 ox cottage cheese

1 container of ricotta cheese

1 - 6 oz container of shredded italian blend cheese

1 lb block of mozzarella cheese - shredded

1 lb block of swiss cheese - shredded

Alfredo Sauce

2 sticks of butter

1 - 8 oz. block of cream cheese

A quart of heavy cream

1 - 6 oz. container of shredded parmesan cheese

2 tsp. garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

If you are making alfredo sauce to eat on pasta-make it normal, but for this recipe add in 3/4 to 1 cup of milk. It helps keep it moist and saucy.

Simmer butter, cream cheese, heavy cream and extra milk. When mostly melted add parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer until cheese is melted. Cook your pasta until tender and drain.

Dump everything in to a large bowl and pour the alfredo sauce over the top and mix well. I often times add more milk if it doesn't seem wet enough because you want it really saucy. Pour into a large pan or two 9x13 pans. Reserve half of your mozzarella and swiss cheese to sprinkle on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350* for 30-45 minutes. This recipe makes a lot so plan for leftovers or invite people over.

Pink Sauce Pasta

I had this at the Relief Society Christmas Party in my ward and it was absolutely WONDERFUL! The lady who made it shared the recipe with everyone and before I lost it I wanted to put it on here.

First make the alfredo sauce:

Melt and simmer-

2 sticks of butter

1 - 8 oz. block of cream cheese

A quart of heavy cream

3/4 c. milk

1 1/2 c. good shredded parmesan cheese

2 tsp. garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

Brown and season 1-2 lbs. of ground beef. Drain off grease. Boil 2 boxes of rigatoni noodle or penne. Cook until almost done. Drain noodles and pour into a LARGE baking dish. Pour alfredo sauce over and add browned hamburger and stir until well coated. Pour a large jar of prego spaghetti sauce evenly over top. (or you can make homemade sauce). Top with shredded mozzarella or italian blend cheese or both. (she does both). Bake in the oven at 350* for 30 minutes. Enjoy it's creamy goodness.

This recipe make a lot!!!

Andes Mint Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter or 1 1/2 cups margarine
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Andes mints

Preheat oven to 350. Mix butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs. Stir in the flour,
baking soda and salt. Unwrap Andes mints and wrap dough balls around each mint.
Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 9-12 minutes. Cool slightly and remove to wire
rack and cool completely. Place more Andes mints in a glass bowl and place over a
pan of shallow simmering water to melt. Add a tablespoon of butter to make glossy.
Drizzle with a spoon over cooled cookies. Makes 3 dozen delicious & pretty cookies.

George's Fruit-filled Energy Bars

Maybe someday I will try all these yummy recipes. These looked really good and I got them here.

1 cup raisins
1 cup dried blueberries
2 cups chopped dates
2 cups chopped dried apples
2 cups chopped dried apricots
2 cups chopped dried prunes
8 oz almond or peanut butter
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
8 cups rolled oats
12 oz pancake mix (complete)(3 cups)
16 oz honey

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a large cookie sheet.

Knead together all the fruit and the nut butter.

Knead in sunflower seeds, rolled oats, and pancake mix.

Add honey and knead until blended.

Press out onto tin 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick and as even as possible. Using a table knife, press the bar lines into the sheet.

Bake about 20 minutes until top is light brown.

Freeze very well if individally wrapped and then put in a ziplock.

Ellen notes: boost the protein with 1-2 cups of vanilla protein powder or dried milk.

Swirled Pumpkin Yeast Bread

I got this recipe here. Also a big thanks to Chennelle.

• 4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1-1/2 cups warm water (120° to 130°)
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 
  FILLING:
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt, sugar and yeast. Beat in the warm water, pumpkin, applesauce and oil just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining all-purpose flour to form a firm dough. Add raisins.
• Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into an 18-in. x 9-in. rectangle; brush with butter to within 1/2 in. of edges. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a short side; pinch seam to seal.
• Place seam side down in two greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Bake at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 loaves (16 slices each).

Pumpkin Rice Pudding

I got this recipe from here. Thanks to Chennelle...she is the one who sent me the links to these.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 3 cups reduced-fat (2%) milk
• 1 cup solid-pack pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375F.

Bring the water to a boil in an ovenproof 4-quart saucepan. Stir in the rice and cover. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the rice is nearly cooked, about 20 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, pumpkin, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.

While the rice is still hot, add the pumpkin mixture to the saucepan and stir well to combine. Cover and transfer to the oven. Bake until the liquid has reduced by about a third and the mixture is foamy and bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir well to combine all the ingredients. Transfer to a large bowl, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight. The pudding will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon.

Pumpkin Cornbread

I got his recipe here. I hope you enjoy! I cannot wait to try this.

1 cup flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup cornmeal
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin purée
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp molasses

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and grease an 8×8″ baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, spices, brown sugar, and cornmeal.

In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs, and then stir in the pumpkin, oil, and molasses.

Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined, and then pour the batter into the pan, smoothing out the top as much as possible.

Bake 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Serve warm!!!!!

Bruschetta Pizza

8 ServingsPrep: 25 min. Bake: 10 min.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound reduced-fat bulk pork sausage
• 1 prebaked 12-inch pizza crust
• 1 package (6 ounces) sliced turkey pepperoni
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1-1/2 cups chopped plum tomatoes
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Additional fresh basil leaves, optional

Directions

• In a small skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer
• pink; drain. Place crust on an ungreased baking sheet. Top with
• pepperoni, sausage and cheese. Bake at 450° for 10-12 minutes or
• until cheese is melted.
• 
  
• In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, sliced basil, oil, garlic,
• thyme, vinegar, salt and pepper. Spoon over the pizza. Garnish with
• additional basil if desired. Yield: 8 slices.
• 
  

Black Bean Pitas with Avocado Salsa

avocado salsa

2 avocados, pitted and diced

1 1/2 to 2 cupes roma tomatoes, diced

4 green onions, chopped

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.

black bean pitas

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion (sweet or red work well)

1 teaspoon minced garlic 

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 16oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 salt (optional)

1/4 cup mayonnaise (no substitute or it will taste funny)

1/2 teaspoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo (can be found by the canned green chiles usually)

1 cup chopped lettuce

Pitas or Wraps

Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, cook until clear. Stir in garlic and cumin. Add beans and salt. Heat thoroughly. Lightly mash the bean mixture, cover and set aside.

Combine the mayonnaise and chipotle in a small bowl. Taste and see how spicy/mild the mixture is and add more of mayo or peppers as needed. With small children, you can leave out the chipotle peppers all together.

To make the pitas, spread the mayonnaise over the pita/wrap, then add the bean mixture on top of the mayo, and top with salsa and lettuce.

***Got the recipe from my cousins website listed here.  I haven't tried these, but once again...I didn't want to loose the recipe and not know where to find it.

Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
Makes 16 Servings

One 15 ½-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed very well

3 large eggs

3 tablespoons canola oil

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, optional

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch salt

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, divided

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 X 8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. Place the black beans in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, oil, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, baking powder, and salt and process until smooth. Add ¼ cup of the chips and pulse a few times until the chips are broken up a bit.

3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the top with the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips.

4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges start to pull away from the sides and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan before slicing.

Wheat Bread

Wheat Bread

3 ¼ cup Whole Wheat flour (for 100% Whole Wheat do 6 1/4 cups Whole Wheat. No White flour.)

3 cups White flour

2 tsps salt

5 tbs brown sugar or 3 ½ tbs honey

1 egg

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 ¼ cups lukewarm water

1 ¼ cups lukewarm milk

1 ½ tbs yeast

Dissolve yeast in the water and milk. Set aside. Mix flours, salt, and sugar (if using the honey mix it with the water, milk and yeast). In a separate bowl mix egg and oil. Combine the egg and yeast mixtures with the dry ingredients for about 1 minute on lowest mixing speed. The dough will wet and course. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes to fully hydrate the flour.

Continue mixing the dough until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl and clings to the mixing hook. Dough will be slightly sticky. (If you touch your finger to the dough and it doesn’t pull away easily, add more flour. If the dough doesn’t stick at all add more water)

Knead the dough for 1 mintue by hand. Place dough in an oiled bowl that’s big enough to hold the dough when it is double in size. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.

Remove dough from refrigerator 3 hours before you plan to bake. Divide dough into two equal parts. Roll the dough into loaves and place into greased bread pans. Or roll into balls for rolls and place on a greased cookie sheet or baking pan. Brush loaves with oil and let rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours or until loaves dome about 1 inch above the rim. Let rolls rise till double in size. Brush rolls with egg wash before baking. (1 egg white with 2 tbs water)

Bake loaves at 350º for 20 minutes, then rotate; rotate rolls after 10 minutes. Continue to cook loaves for another 20-30 minutes, rolls for 10-20 or until the crust is a rich brown.

Remove bread from pans and place on a cooling rack. Brush bread with shortening or butter to make a soft flaky crust.

Abuelo's Papas con Chile

I have tasted these potatoes at the restaurant but I don't want to miss the recipe that they gave out so I am going to put it on here so I can try it.

3 lbs. red potatoes
3 oz cream cheese – cut into 2" squares
½ cup heavy cream
10 oz Velveeta – cut into 2 " squares
½ TBS salt
¾ tsp granulated garlic
¼ cup sour cream
½ cup diced red bell peppers
½ cup diced green bell peppers
2 cans chopped green chiles
½ cup chopped green onion tops
2 TBS of finely chopped jalapeño – seeds removed

1.Wash and scrub potatoes until clean
2.Place potatoes in a pot covered with water and boil until soft.
3.Drain potatoes
4.Add the rest of ingredients and mash. Be sure all ingredients are incorporated.

Bruschetta Chicken

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup egg substitute (1 large egg)

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

1 tablespoon butter, melted

2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped

3 tablespoons minced fresh basil (1 Tablespoon dry basil)

2 garlic cloves, minced (1 Teaspoon garlic powder)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. Dip chicken in flour, then in eggs; place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over chicken.

Loosely cover baking dish with foil. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 170°.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon over the chicken. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes or until tomato mixture is heated through. Serve over noodles. Yield: 4 servings.

No-Fry Doughnuts

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1-1/2 cups warm milk

1/3 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, melted

GLAZE:

1/2 cup butter

2 cups confectioners' sugar

5 tsp. water

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 cup chocolate chips (if you want a chocolate glaze, if not omit chocolate chips)

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add milk and shortening; stir for 1 minute. Add sugar, eggs, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and 2 cups flour; beat on low speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (do not knead).

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. cut with a 2-3/4 inch doughnut cutter (or a cup if you don't have a doughnut cutter); place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Brush with butter. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350˚ for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt butter; stir in sugar, water and vanilla (and chocolate chips if desired). Stir over low heat until smooth (do not boil). Keep warm. Dip warm doughnuts, one at a time, into glaze and turn to coat. Drain on a wire rack. Serve immediately. Yield: 2 dozen

Mexican Chicken Wrap

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in strips

1 T. vegetable oil

2 c. water

1 c Salsa

2 c. Minute Rice

8-12 tortillas

Cheddar Cheese shredded

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning Mix

Brown chicken in oil*. Add water*, salsa and seasoning mix; stir. Heat to a boil. Stir in Minute Rice*; cover. Cook on low 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Spoon chicken mixture onto tortillas; top with cheese. Fold up sides to enclose filling.

* Changes I made:

I used frozen, boiled chicken I keep in my freezer to add to the salsa mixture. I didn't use Minute Rice and boiled it until it was still a little bit crunchy then I added it to the mixture, which also means I only used 1 cup of water. To cut back on fat you can use Mozzerella Cheese instead of Cheddar.

Creamy banana bread

Have I put this one on here before? I can't remember and Jennifer was asking me about it, so I'll post it here.
I'm always looking for ways to use soy flour in place of all purpose flour, It's not easy, except for when making banana bread, it comes out great!!

I use this recipe, but instead of flour I use the soy flour. I cook it for 30 - 35 min. and I add chocolate chips. The flavor is a little weird at first, if you're not used to it, but with the choc. chips, it helps a lot!!

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup margarine, softened
* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 2 eggs (I use egg whites only, or one whole egg and one white)
* 2 - 3 mashed mashed bananas
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 3/4 cup chopped pecans
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Cream the butter or margarine and cream cheese together. Gradually add the white sugar, and continue beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, and soda; mix until batter is just moist.
2. In a small bowl, mix together chopped pecans, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Divide 1/2 batter into two greased and floured 8x4 inch loaf pans. Sprinkle pecan mixture over batter in pans, and top with remaining batter.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

I sometimes use the brown sugar and cinnamon thing, but most of time I just leave it out and make plain banana bread with the choc. chips.

Hamburger - Cabbage Casseroles

1 lb. hamburger
1 medium onion, diced
3 c. cooked rice (1 c. raw)
2 1/2 c. diced cabbage
3 T. butter
2 T. soy sauce
3 T. brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Brown hamburger and onion together. Drain. Combine all ingredients and put in a casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until heated through.
** I like to add about 1 tsp. of ground ginger and some garlic to this. **

Pork Chops w/ Sweet Potatoes

I got this recipe after doing a search on the internet for sweet potatoes. It is my new vegetable of the week to try in my cooking. We had this for the first time last night. I thought it was great. Taryn liked it but thought it was a little sweet for her.

2 boneless pork chops 1-inch thick
2 sweet potatoes
6 oz orange juice concentrate (1/2 a can)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 onion - sliced (I used red because that is what I had on hand)

1. Season the pork chop w/ salt and pepper and brown on all sides.
2. Peel the sweet potatoes and slice lengthwise. Use a fork and poke holes in it so they cook a little faster.
3. Combine the OJ, brown sugar, and cinnamon until it is dissolved.
4. Place the sweet potatoes around the pork chops in a baking dish. Top w/ sliced onions. Pour over the OJ/brown sugar mixture.
5. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes. About half way through the baking I flipped everything over and spooned the juices back over the top.

Vegetable Soup

I got the basis for this recipe from one of the Biggest Loser books. We tried it this week and thought it turned out really good. Taryn met with her nutritionist today and told her about it. The nutritionist was very impressed by it.

1 small white onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
12 baby carrots, diced
4 stalks celery, diced
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 12 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
6 cups chicken stock
italian seasonings
garlic
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup lentils
1 chicken breast, cooked, cubed

Heat up the olive oil. Saute the onion, pepper, carrots, and celery until soft. Add in the garlic. Add in the can of tomatoes, undrained. Stir so everything is incorporated. Add in the chicken stock and italian seasonings. Bring to a low boil. Add in the lentils and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Add in the frozen corn and cook for another 7 minutes. We added in the chicken breast ourselves because we wanted it to be more like a full meal. This makes a lot so you may just want to reduce everything by half if there is just 2 or 3 to serve. But don't skimp too much on the stock. We didn't add in so much and it was a little thick, especially the next day. The actual recipe called for other seasonings and vegetables. But this is what we had on hand and what we like.

Shepherd's Pie

We used to make this with stew meat and beef gravy and not as many veggies. But we decided to make it a little healthier and it turned out great.

1 pound ground turkey
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1 cup frozen corn
1 can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes (we used the fire roasted kind to give it a little more flavor)
1 diced white onion
4 cups mashed potatoes
1 cup shredded cheese

1. Brown turkey. Season to your liking. Add in diced onion at the very end.
2. Cook peas, carrots, and corn. Add to cooked turkey and onion.
3. Drain diced tomatoes. Add in tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste.
4. Place in casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes. Try to get it all the way to the sides to seal in the turkey/veggie mixture to avoid it boiling out the side. Then top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies

I got this recipe from my visiting teacher. They brought the dough to me and it was amazing. It is really healthy too!

Big Bowl

2/3 c. softened butter

2/3 c. crisco

1 c. sugar

1 c. packed brown sugar

2 t. vanilla

2 eggs

Cream this all together.

Smaller Bowl

3 c. flour

1 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

Mix together and then mix with the first set of ingredients. Add a cup of chocolate chips.

Bake at 375 for 9-12 minutes.

Spicy Chicken

1/3 cup Tabasco Sauce

2/3 cup water

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

4 teaspoons cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

4 chicken breast fillets

4 plain hamburger buns

8 teaspoons mayonnaise

4 lettuce leaves

4 tomato slices

4 slices Swiss Cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the pepper sauce and water in a small bowl.

3. Combine the flour, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, onion powder, paprika and garlic powder in another shallow bowl.

4. Pound each of the chicken pieces with a mallet until about 3/8-inch thick. Trim each breast fillet if necessary to help it fit on the bun.

5. Working with one fillet at a time, coat each piece with the flour, then dredge it in the diluted pepper sauce. Coat the chicken once again in the flour mixture and set it aside until the rest of the chicken is coated.

6. Cook chicken 20 to 30 minutes or until they are light brown and crispy. (About 180˚F). After they are done put the cheese on the chicken and back in the oven till the cheese is melted.

7. As chicken is cooking, prepare each sandwich by grilling the face of the hamburger buns on a hot skillet over medium heat. Spread about 2 teaspoons of mayonnaise on the face of each of the inverted top buns.

8. Place a tomato slice onto the mayonnaise, then stack a leaf of lettuce on top of the tomato.

9. On each of the bottom buns, stack one piece of chicken.

10. Flip the top half of each sandwich onto the bottom half and serve hot.

This is our replacement for Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich. It is less greasy, cheaper, and it tastes better.

Sticky Lemon Chicken

1 lb. chicken

salt and pepper

4 T. olive oil

2 T. soy sauce

3-4 T. honey

1 head garlic, each clove sliced in half (I just used the minced stuff I bought in the jar)

1 whole lemon, sliced

1/4 - 1/3 c. water

1 T. thyme

1/4 c. fresh parsley or 2 T. dried parsley

In a large skillet pan, add the oil to med. high heat. Season the chicken well with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes, turning each piece. Add the garlic cloves, soy sauve, and honey to the pan making sure to get all the chicken in the sauce. Continue to cook for 5 minutes. Add the water and lay the slices of lemon on top of the chicken in the pan. Put a lid on the pan and continue to cook for about 10-15 minutes. Season the chicken with thyme and parsley. Continue to cook until the chicken cooked through and no longer pink.

We ate this with rice and if you want it more saucey then double the sauce. I did and it was nice to put a little sauce on the rice. This is definetely a recipe that will become a regular on. It was so good. I loved that I could go out and use fresh lemons off the tree as well. It was great!

Turkey Chili

Ingredients:
1 pound of ground turkey
1 big can of crushed tomatoes
1 small can of fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 onion (white or red)
1 green pepper
2 jalepenos
1 spoonful of garlic
4 tablespoons of olive oil (divided)
1 1/2 cups of frozen corn
cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper

Directions:
1. Heat half of the olive oil in a pot and saute diced onion, green pepper, and jalapenos. Add in garlic.
2. Brown ground turkey. Season w/ cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
3. Add both cans of tomatoes to pot w/ the vegetables. Season w/ spices.
4. Add turkey to pot of tomatoes and vegetables.
5. Simmer on low for a few hours. Depending on how much heat you want add in a round of the spices every hour.
6. 15 minutes before serving add in the frozen corn.
7. Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.

Oyako

This is a japenese dish that Ryan and I like to get at this little restaurant down here. A couple of weeks ago it sounded good, but we didn't want to go out to eat so I decided to try to make it. We were actually really surprised at how well it turned out. I have to admit...I was very nervous to make it! I found a recipe and since then have made it a couple of times and have had a chance to play around with it. It is a new favorite.

2-3 chicken breasts, cut into very thin strips (almost julienned)

1 c. chicken broth

2 T. sugar

4 T. soy sauce

green onions

garlic, optional (as much as you want)

4-5 eggs, beaten

Put the chicken broth in a skillet with the sugar, soy sauce and the garlic. Put the cut up chicken in the sauce with half of the onions. Cook the chicken through. Put the remainder of the onions in and the beaten eggs. Turn the burner down and let the eggs simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.

You can add whatever veges you want to this. Carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, squash, zucchini...it is good with anything. Today I put a yellow squash and the cabbage in it and it was great. Serve over rice. ENJOY!

Homemade Spanish Rice

2 T. Olive oil

2 cups long grain rice

1 finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic, pressed (or garlic powder)

On medium high brown the rice, onion, and garlic in the olive oil for about 4 minutes or until onions are soft.

4 cups chicken broth/stock (homemade is the best! Make sure to check if the rice is a 2 parts liquid to 1 part rice or if it's a 1:1 and adjust accordingly.)

Simmer, then add:

1 T. tomato paste or 1 c. chopped tomato. (I used 1 drained can of tomato with diced chili .)

dash of Oregano

1 t. salt (If using store bought chicken broth, you can get by with a dash of salt.)

Simmer again then add to the rice and let simmer for about 15 to 25 minutes until all the broth is taken up.

Almond Poppysead Bread

Almond Poppy Seed Bread

Bread
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 Tbsp. bkg powder
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. poppy seeds
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. almond extract
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Glaze
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup sugar

Mix bread ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Poke holes in bread and pour glaze on immediately after removing bread from oven. Let cool.. Enjoy!

Yield: 2 loaves

Got this from the same friend. Hope you enjoy!

Harvest Pumpkin Brownies using your Food Storage...or Not

1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
4 eggs (1/4 C. dry egg powder + 1/2 C. water)
3/4 C. vegetable oil (or 3/4 C. white bean puree)
2 t. vanilla
2 C. whole wheat flour
2 C. sugar
1 T. pumpkin pie spice
2 t. ground cinnamon
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
Mix wet ingredients (including the water needed for your powdered eggs but not the dry egg powder…remember you DON’T need to mix these before adding to your recipes) Mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients. Pour into 9×13 pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool and frost with cream cheese frosting or dollop cinnamon whipped topping.

I got these from a High School friend and really want to try them. I would trust her that these are really good.