Mandarin Orange Salad

I found this recipe on the Internet today and I must say, I was pretty pleased with the results. I varied a few things from the original recipe, but here it is:

INGREDIENTS

1/2 c vegetable oil (Next time I'll try 1/4 c instead...that is what some of the reviewers recommended)

1/4 c cider vinegar (I just used plain white vinegar since that is what I had)

1/4 c white sugar

2 tsp dried parsley

1 tsp salt

1 pinch ground black pepper

1/2 c sliced almonds

1/4 c white sugar

1 head red leaf lettuce - rinsed, dried, and torn (I just used various salad greens that I had on hand...I think any will work.)

1 red onion, chopped (I used a white onion instead, since that is what I had. I soaked it in water first and then drained the water. That way the onion flavor wasn't as overpowering)

1 c chopped celery (I didn't have any on hand, so I left this out)

2 (11 oz) cans mandarin orange segments, drained

DIRECTIONS

1. In a container with a tight fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cover and shake well. Refrigerate until use.

2. In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, cook and stir the almonds and sugar until the sugar is melted and the almonds are coated. Remove from heat, cool, and break apart. Store at room temperature until ready to serve salad. (One of the reviewers suggested put 1-2 tsp of the juice from the oranges in when you cook the almonds . It seemed to work really well.)

3. In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, celery, oranges, onion, almonds, and dressing until evenly coated.

By the way, I HIGHLY recommend checking out allrecipes.com The recipes are rated by users and everything I have tried I have been very pleased with.

CHICKEN PILLOWS

So I failed in my goal to post one recipe a month. Whoops. I'll have to try harder for next month. But here's October's recipe.

CHICKEN PILLOWS

4 chicken breast cooked and shredded by hand
1 (8oz) container of chive and onion cream cheese
2 containers of crescent rolls
Bread crumbs (seasoned or unseasoned)
1 Cup butter or margarine

Combine chicken, cream cheese, 1/2 cup of butter and mix together very well. Lay out crescent rolls, with two triangles together to make a rectangle shape. Cut this in half to make two smaller pillows or leave them together to make one very large pillow. Scoop desired amount of chicken mixture on dough. Fold together edges neatly as possible and roll in 1/2 cup of melted butter or brush butter on with a pastry brush, then roll in bread crumbs. Place on cookie sheet and cook according to directions on crescent roll package or until golden brown around the edges (usually the larger pillows take longer than the package indicates).

GRAVY:
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 c. of chicken broth
1 beef or chicken bullion cube

Whisk together all ingredients in a saucepan on the stove. Warm until desired temp. Pour over top of chicken pillows, eat and enjoy! Makes 8 large or 16 small pillows.

Low-fat alternative: leave out butter entirely. Use low fat cream cheese and low fat crescent rolls.

(Just a note: In our family it's me, my hubby & my 2 year old, so this recipe made a LOT. We ate the left over pillows for a the next couple of days for lunches. And they were fine as leftovers, but would be better to just use half the chicken/cream cheese mixture and half the crescent roll package the first night and then another night use the rest of it and make the dinner again.)

Upside Down Pizza

I haven't posted any recipes for SO long (of course, no one really has, right? haha! Until today, that is...) so I've decided that I'm going to make it a goal to post at least 1 recipe every month. We'll see how that goal goes, but hopefully I'll remember and make the time to do it. And hopefully, more of you will start posting some more because I am in desperate need of some new and yummy recipes!! :) Tonight I'm going to a Relief Society cooking class for quick meal ideas, so hopefully I'll find some stuff to bring back to you guys. Anyway, on to my recipe for today...

UPSIDE DOWN PIZZA

3/4 lb. ground beef
3/4 lb. ground sausage
1 c. chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp oregano
dash salt
1/2 c. water
15 oz. can tomato sauce
6-8 oz. mozzarella or monterey jack cheese, shredded

Brown hamburger and sausage, drain. Stir in onion, garlic, oregano, salt, water & tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.

In a bowl combine to make a batter:
1 c. milk
2 T. oil
2 eggs -- beat 1 min. at medium speed. Add: 1 c. flour & 1/2 tsp salt. Pour meat into an ungreased 9x13 pan. Top with cheese. Pour batter over cheese to cover.

Note: Can also add olives, mushrooms, etc. to meat.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

Little piece of Heaven on Earth.

Honey bun cake.

My friend Diane makes it.

So does Arrin's mom, Ms. Margaret.

I woke up at 3:30 am this morning with Honey Bun cake on the brain.

Here is a temporary recipe until I can get Diane's or Ms. Margaret's.

YUM-O!

Pancuchen (German version of crepes)

Pronounced "pan-coo-kin" (German pancakes)

My sister made these for me while she was visisting and they are very quick and tasty! As you can see, the measurements are somewhat open to interpretation, but that is how she makes it!

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs per person

Per egg:

• 2 heaping TBSP flour
• 2 heaping TBSP sugar (my sister says sometimes she puts in extra - like one extra scoup for each 4 put in)
• Vanilla to make it smell good
• A couple of dashes of salt

Stir all ingredients together and then mix in milk until the batter is the consistency of think cream. Cook over medium heat (my sister just uses a regular frying pan). Turn over as soon as the edges start looking firm and are still a little bubbly.

Top with your choice of applesauce, strawberries, bananas, jam, whip cream, powdered sugar, peanut butter, nuttela, or anything you want!

I really liked these with bannanas, strawberries, and some powdered sugar. They even taste good just by themselves!

Taco Soup

This recipe is really easy and makes a very tasty meal!

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans (drained)
• 1 can sweet corn (drained)
• 2 cans diced (I like to use stewed) tomatoes (not drained)
• taco seasoning, to taste (usually about 1/2 a packet)
• Optional - shredded chicken or ground hamburger

Cook over medium heat or throw in a crock pot in the morning and simmer on low all day. Then add whatever garnishes you'd like:

To garnish:

• chips (can crush at the bottom of the bowl first and/or use to scoop up the soup like a dip)
• cheese
• sour cream

It also warms up really well as leftovers. Enjoy!

Green Enchiladas

These are the yummiest enchiladas EVER!

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 2 cans green chilies
• 1 8oz. package cream cheese cut into strips
• 1 jar salsa verde
• 1/2 can black beans
• 1 can refried beans
• 6 flour tortillas
• mozzarella cheese, grated

1. In large skillet, warm shredded chicken and cream cheese until cheese is melted. Add green chilies and salsa verde until desired consistency and heat (you will need more salsa verde later in the recipe, so don't go too crazy).
2. In another pan, warm beans combines and a little salsa verde ("Little"is the key word here!).
3. Pour a little bit of salsa verde on bottom of a 9-x13- inch pan.
4. Place a little chicken and bean mixture in each tortilla. Roll up. Place seam side down on baking dish. Cover with salsa verde and grated cheese.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and heated through.

Alfajores de Maizena

So my husband went to Argentina on his mission & LOVES alfajores. I got the recipe for them from a lady in my ward who is an Argentine and made them for him for Valentine's Day (pictured left). They are a little cookie-like dessert & surprisingly really good! And they look really cool too. Not to mention they are incredibly easy to make. Spreading the dolce de leche takes some time, but it's definitely not grueling work. I think it's fun to make something that is different so you should all try them! :)

Alfajores de Maizena

1 1/4 c. flour

2 c. corn starch

1 c. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

3 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla

1 c. margarine, less 3 T. (so 13 T. of margarine altogether)

Coconut flakes

Dolce de Leche (like caramel but BETTER. You can buy it at Walmart in the Hispanic/Latin aisle. It's in a can similar to that of a sweetened condensed milk can. You'll need the whole can.)

Mix all dry ingredients EXCEPT powdered sugar together (flour, corn starch, baking soda, baking powder).

In another bowl, mix margarine & powdered sugar. Add yolks one at a time and mix well. Add vanilla.

Add dry ingredients little by little until you get a dough (mix this by HAND). The dough will be about the consistancy of sugar cookie dough.

Spread cornstarch (NOT flour) on countertop and place the dough on it. Sprinkle a little more cornstarch on top of the dough. Roll out like you would for sugar cookies. Cut into little circles about the size of a silver dollar or so. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Let cool. Spread dolce de leche on one cookie & press it together with another cookie. (Like a sandwich or an oreo) Roll edges in coconut. Enjoy!

Quick & Easy Homemade Bruschetta

I made pasta for dinner last night and I remembered I used to make this really easy homemade bruschetta bread. It tastes really good (Jeff was a big fan) and it's super easy to make. It's also a nice way to "spice up" a simple meal like spaghetti.

Ingredients

Sliced bread (I like using 100% whole wheat best)
Spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Tomatoe (slices)
Italian Seasoning

1. Turn on your oven to broil
2. Take a slice of bread and spread thinly with spaghetti sauce
3. Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese (or add slice of cheese)
4. Add thin slice of tomato
5. Top with Italian Seasoning
6. Broil until cheese melts and sides start to get a little dark
7. Enjoy!!

Roasted Asparagus and Grape Tomato Soup

I never post on here, but I am thinking it is now time. This recipe is SO good. I can't say that I am a super healthy eater or a major fan of most soups, but this is really really good.


Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs Asparagus, cut in 2 inch slices, plus 12 Asparagus tips
2 medium onions, peeled and cut into quarters
40 grape tomatoes
2 Tb olive oil
4 c chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 c half & half
6 fresh dill sprigs


1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Place sliced asparaus, fanned-out onion wedges and grape tomatoes in an even layer in a large shallow roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Roast, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred. Remove the tomatoes, chop and set aside.
3. Place half of the other roasted vegetables in a food processor (or we use a blender). Add 1 cup of broth and process until smooth. Strain if desired. Transfer to a large saucepan. Repeat with remaining vegetables. Add as much of the remaining broth to the pan as needed for good consistency, plus salt and pepper.
4. Heat until soup is hot; add half-and-half and heat for another 2 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top each with a spoonful of roasted chopped tomatoes, 2 fresh aspargus tips and a sprig of dill.

Makes 6 servings.

Baked Ravioli

I got this one from my sister who got it from Martha Stewart. It is easy & one of my favorite dishes to make AND eat! Plus, the sauce is like a homemade marinara sauce & would be good with any Italian or pasta dish you like; chicken parmesan, spaghetti & meatballs, etc... I love it!


2 Tblsp. Olive Oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, or oregano
1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes
2 lbs. store-bought cheese ravioli (I like the small round ones instead of the big square ones)
1/2 c. grated parmesan
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella
course salt & ground pepper, to taste


Preheat oven to 425*. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion & garlic, & season w/ salt & pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened (about 5 minutes). Add thyme & tomatoes. Bring to boil, reduce heat, & simmer, breaking tomatoes with a spoon, until sauce is thickened & reduced to about 5 1/2 cups. (20-25 minutes)

Meanwhite, cook ravioli in large pot of boiling water (salted) just until they float to the top. Drain pasta; return to pot.

Toss sauce with pasta. Pour pasta into a large gratin dish or 9x13 baking dish, & sprinkle with cheeses. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.


NOTE: I actually leave the thyme/oregano out. I don't always love those tastes very strong, and I think it tastes awesome without it. Also, if you want to add meat to this dish you can. I tried the other day adding 1 pound of ground sausage and it was really good! I cooked the sausage on the stove, tossed it with the ravioli & sauce & stuck it all in the oven. So you can have it vegetarian or add whatever kind of meat you'd prefer -the perfect meal! :) Enjoy!

Hershey Bar Pie

I got this from my aunt. If I ever have to take a dessert to a gathering... this is a quick and easy pie I will fix.

4 regular size Hershey Bars
8 oz. cool whip
1 graham cracker pie crust

Melt chocolate bars in microwave. This doesn't take but just a few seconds. Don't burn the chocolate. Stir in cool whip. Pour into the crust and chill for at least 3 hours. Keep refrigerated.

Takes about 5 minutes to make!

Jay's Potatoes

My Dad came up with this recipe when he was in Boy Scouts (in his younger years :-) to get a patch or whatever they are called. :-)

Potatoes (6-8) white or red
Butter
Salt and pepper
McCormick Broiled Steak Seasoning Salt
Onions (thinny sliced)
Water

Peel potatoes and slice (thin). Cover bottom of baking dish with water (not much, just enough to cover bottom). Put in a layer of potatoes; salt and pepper them. Sprinkle with steak seasoning and dot with butter. Add a layer of onion. Repeat layers. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about an hour.

Quick Chicken

I found this one online and it is great!

1 package chicken tenders
Dijon mustard
1/4 cup Teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup bacon bits
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken in glass dish. Slather dijon mustard, evenly over chicken, then pour teriyaki sauce evenly over all. Sprinkle bacon bits over chicken. Bake on 400 for about 30 minutes. About 3-5 minutes before chicken is done, add cheese to top. Let it bake and melt on chicken.

Yumm!

EASY Pepper Steak

1 pack McCormick Brown Gravy Mix
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2-2 lbs. sliced steak
1 tblsp oil
1 medium onion (sliced)
1 bell pepper (sliced)

Combine brown gravy mix, water and soy sauce in a bowl. Mix well. Set aside. Heat oil in large skillet. Saute meat 8-10 minutes or until brown. Just before steak is done, add peppers and onions. Once done, stir in brown gravy mixture and bring to a boil. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve over rice, if desired.

Hailey's Hamburger Seasoning

When grilling out (you may not do this much in Utah this time of year like in NC) use this seasoning in your hamburgers.

1 tablespoon Worcestershire
2 teaspoons minced onion
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

I do this with about a pound of hamburger.

Taco Salad

First, thanks for adding me to this blog. I love finding and sharing new, easy recipes.
Here is one of my family's favorites!

Taco Salad

1 lb. hamburger
1 pack Taco seasoning
1 head of lettuce
1 green pepper
1 tomato
Taco cheese
1 small bottle Catalina
1 bag Doritos (crunched up)

Brown hamburger and drain. Add taco seasoning, following directions on package. Cool completely. Tear up lettuce and chop green pepper and tomato. Crunch up Doritos (still in bad *but open it a little bit so the bag doesn't bust and Doritos don't fly everywhere*) Put hamburger, lettuce, pepper, tomato, and cheese in a large bowl. Just before serving stir in Doritos and Catalina.

So Yum-O!

Red Lobster's Cajun Chicken Pasta

This is from my best friend IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!!! She will be joining this blog soon!

1 pack of chicken tenders
2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons butter
1 green pepper (sliced)
1 red pepper (sliced)
1 package mushrooms
green onion (sliced)
1-2 cups heavy cream
1-2 basil leaves (chopped)
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Linguine noodles (cooked)
Grated parmesan cheese

1.Place chicken and Cajun seasoning in a bowl or resealable plastic bag, toss or shake to coat.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat sauté chicken in butter until almost tender, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add peppers, mushrooms and onion; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes.
4. Reduce heat.
5. Add cream and seasonings; heat through.
6. Add linguine and toss; heat through.
7. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Absolutely wonderful and very easy!

Poppy Seed Chicken

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 sleeves of Ritz Crackers
3 Tablespoons Poppy Seeds
1/2 C Melted Butter
3/4 Medium Tub of Sour Cream
1 can Cream of Chicken
Salt and Pepper

Boil your chicken and cut into cubes (or small bite size pieces). Mix the chicken with the cream of chicken soup and the sour cream. Also add salt and pepper to this mixture.

In another bowl, crush the 2 sleeves of ritz crackers. Mix in the poppy seeds and melted butter. Make sure it is all coated.

In a 9x13 greased pan, put a layer of the cracker mixture (very thin) on the bottom. Then add all the chicken mixture on top of that. Then add the remaining cracker mixture. Cover with foil and cook at 350 for 30 minutes. Just watch for it to be golden brown. Then it is ALL DONE!!!

Very simple and Fast!