Fun Recipes


Bean Salsa
1 red pepper very small dice
1 green pepper, same
1 onion, same
1 can corn, drained
1 can (same size) pork and beans, rinsed well
1 can black beans, rinsed well.
Max all.

1/3 cup ver or canola oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
Pinch of cayenne if desired, all shaken in a jar and pured over salsa mix.  Stir from time to time.  Can be made ahead and will last for days in the refrigerator ( if it doesn't all get eaten right away)  Serve with Tostito Scoops.  One full scoop is 25 calories.

Jean Rose


Cinnamon Twist

Great recipe for camping!
Can of refrigerator bisquits
Stretch each bisquit and then wrap it around a roasting stick like a corkscrew
Roast it over coals until golden brown
It is done when you can twirl it around freely on the stick.
Roll in butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.


Crunchy Oatmeal Muffin

1 cup Old Fashion Oats
1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1T baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
3T oil or shortening
--------------------------
Mix together
Pour into a 9 X 13 greased glass casserole dish
--------------------------
        TOPPING
1T melted butter
1T flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
2t cinnamon
--------------------------
Mix up and sprinkle on top
Bake at 425 - 15 min
Heather Allgaier

Hungry Jack Beef & Bean Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion or 1 tablespoon instant minced onion
3 to 4 tablespoons your favorite barbeque sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
16 oz. Bush's Beans
10 oz. can Refrigerated flaky biscuits. (Not the large Grand Biscuits.)
3/4 cup Shredded Cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees

In skillet brown ground beef and onion, drain.  Stir in barbeque sauce,
brown sugar and beans.  Heat until bubbly.  Pour into 2 qt. sprayed
casserole dish.

Separate dough  into 10 biscuits, cut each biscuit in half crosswise.
Place biscuits cut side down in a spoke wheel fashion around edge of
casserole dish.  Sprinkle cheese over biscuits.

Bake 22-27 minutes at 375.  makes 4-6 servings.
Yum Yum!
 
Sandy Peregoy

Fruit Salsa
2 apples
6 Kiwi
2 24oz frozen strawberries
chop and mix together
2 tbsp apple jelly
4 tbsp brown sugar
Mix altogether and enjoy

Marcia Sopack

Cinnamon Chips
Flour Tortillas
Spray with water & sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
Cut each tortilla into 8 pieces

Bake at 400 degrees for 8 min

Marcia Sopak

Heath Bar Coffee Cake
Mix Together:
1/4 lb butter (1 Stick)
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar

(reserve 1/2 cup of this for topping)

Next, add in:

1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg

Mix and pur batter into greased 9 x 13 pan.

Take the 1/2 cup reserved topping mixture and add in:

1/2 cup crushed Heath bars (can buy them already chopped in a bag in baking dept)
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix well and sprinkle over the top of the batter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Kim Holihan

Creamy 5-Cup Fruit Salad

from melskitchencafe.com

 

1 (10-ounce) can pineapple chunks (about 1 cup), drained

1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges (about 1 cup), drained

1 medium apple, cored and chopped (about 1 cup)

1 cup grapes, halved

1/2 cup sour cream, light or regular

1/2 cup sweetened, shredded coconut

 

Combine the fruit in a large bowl, tossing well so the apple (and other fruit that likes to brown) can get coated in the pineapple and orange juice to prevent browning. Stir in the sour cream and coconut, gently tossing to coat. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours prior to serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled. You might notice that after a day or so of sitting in the fridge, quite a bit of liquid from the fruit pools at the bottom. If eating the leftovers, I like to gently pour some of this off before eating.

 




Chicken Cordon Bleu Bread Bowls

from melskitchencafe.com

 

*Note: if you don't have apple juice on hand, you can omit the apple juice and increase the chicken broth to 1 3/4 cups.

 

*Serves 4-6

 

For the Chicken and Sauce:

4 tablespoons butter

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed (about 2-3 chicken breasts)

1/2 cup minced yellow onion

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 tablespoons flour

½ cup apple juice

1 1/4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard

1 teaspoon dried thyme

2-3 cups broccoli florets

Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

 

To Assemble:

4-6 medium round regular or sourdough bread bowls (I used thisItalian Bread bowl recipe)

8-10 thin slices smoked ham

1 cup grated Swiss cheese

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly coat the foil with cooking spray.

 

Place the broccoli florets in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a tight fitting microwave-safe lid. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes until tender but still bright green. Remove the plastic wrap and set aside.

 

In a 10- or 12-inch skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken and saute until the chicken begins to brown but isn't cooked all the way through, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the onions and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened (when chicken is still slightly pink), about 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken/onion mixture and stir to incorporate. Cook, stirring, constantly for one minute.

 

Gradually add the chicken broth and apple juice, stirring constantly to avoid any clumps from forming. Stir in the cream, Parmesan cheese, mustard and thyme. Simmer for about 5-6 minutes, until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in the broccoli; season with salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

 

Hollow out the inside of the bread bowls by cutting off the tops and tearing out the insides. I like to leave about a 1/4-inch edge along all sides of the bread bowl. Compress the remaining bread together to firm up the sides and make room for the filling. Place the bread bowls on the prepared baking sheet and toast them for about 5 minutes in the preheated oven.

 

Remove the toasted loaves from the oven and arrange the ham slices in the bottom of each loaf. Using a slotted spoon, divide chicken mixture evenly between loaves, reserving about 1-2 cups sauce in the pan for serving. Top the chicken mixture in each loaf with shredded Swiss and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

 

Bake the bread bowls until the cheese melts, about 10-15 minutes. Serve each bread bowl with reserved cream sauce.




Heath Bar Cake

from melskitchencafe.com

 (as seen at the thread painting dessert demo

*Serves 8-10

 

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups flour

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup buttermilk

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

5-6 chocolate covered toffee bars (like Heath), chopped

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and center a rack in the middle of the oven. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch pan and set aside.

 

In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, flour and butter. Crumble these ingredients together with a pastry blender, whisk or two forks until the mixture is crumbly and coarse. Remove 1/2 cup of the crumbs to a small bowl and set aside. To the large bowl with the remaining crumbs, add the buttermilk, egg, vanilla, baking soda and salt. Mix well.

 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it to the edges. Sprinkle the top of the cake with the reserved crumbs and chopped Heath bars. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the center is no longer gooey but a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs. The cake may fall slightly in the center leaving the edges raised. No fear! It will still be delicious.




Pumpkin Pie Brownies
Fantastic Friday 9-24-2010
Jessica Larsen original :)

1 pkg (19-22 oz) brownie mix
ingredients to make batter
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie)
1 egg
1/4 cup half and half (or evap milk)
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
4 tbs sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom of a 9x13 pan. Make brownie batter as directed, set aside. In another bowl, combine pumpkin, egg, half and half, spice, and sugar. Pour brownie batter in dish. put sponfuls of pumpkin on top of brownie batter. using a knife, swirl the batter until marbled effect is achieved.



Big Bowl of Tuscan Greens
Fantastic Friday 9-24-10
www.kraftfoods.com


1 pkg. (8 oz.) torn romaine lettuce
1   Tomato, cut into thin wedges
1/4 cup Sliced black olives
1/2 cup  KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup  Croutons

 

TOSS lettuce, tomatoes and olives in large serving bowl.

ADD dressing; toss lightly.

SPRINKLE with Parmesan cheese and croutons.

Foil Bruschetta Chicken Bake
Fantastic Friday 9-24-2010
www.kraftfoods.com

1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
1 pkg.  (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
2 cloves Garlic, minced
6 small  Boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)
1 tsp. Dried basil leaves
1 cup  KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

HEAT oven to 400ºF.

COMBINE tomatoes, stuffing mix and garlic just until stuffing mix is moistened.

PLACE 1 chicken breast on center of each of 6 large sheets of heavy-duty foil sprayed with cooking spray; top with basil, stuffing mixture and cheese. Bring up foil sides; double fold top and ends to seal each packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Place in 15x10x1-inch pan.

BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF). Cool 5 min. Cut slits in foil to release steam before opening packets.


 Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
 
 

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup grated zucchini
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting

Directions

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with yogurt, beating well after each addition. Fold in zucchini and carrots.
  • Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 21 cupcakes.


 

Nutrition Facts: 1 cupcake equals 326 calories, 17 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 50 mg cholesterol, 288 mg sodium, 40 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.





Taffy Apple Cookies

 

 Ingredients:
1   package (18 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1/2   teaspoon vanilla
1   package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2   cup packed brown sugar
1/4   cup creamy peanut butter
3   medium Granny Smith apples
1/4   cup caramel ice cream topping
1/2   cup peanuts, chopped
 Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape cookie dough into a ball and place in center of Large Round Stone; flatten slightly. Using lightly floured Baker's Roller®, roll out dough to a 14-inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick. Bake 16-18 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. Carefully loosen cookie from baking stone using Serrated Bread Knife; cool completely on baking stone.
2. Combine cream cheese, brown sugar, peanut butter and vanilla in Small Batter Bowl; mix well. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cookie.
3. Peel, core and slice apples using Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer. Cut apple slices in half and arrange evenly over cream cheese mixture.
4. Microwave ice cream topping on HIGH 30-45 seconds or until warm; drizzle evenly over apples. Chop peanuts using Food Chopper; sprinkle over apples. Cut into wedges.
Yield: 16 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 300, Total Fat 17 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Carbohydrate 36 g, Protein 5 g, Sodium 270 mg, Fiber 1 g

Cook’s Tips: Use the Jar Opener to open the jar of caramel ice cream topping with ease.

The Large Spreader is handy for spreading the cream cheese mixture over the cooled cookie. Our Small Spreader works equally well for spreading frosting and thick glazes over baked goods.

Dip apples in lemon-lime flavored carbonated soda or lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown.

Add a touch of spice to this dessert pizza by sprinkling ground cinnamon over the apple slices in Step 3 using the Flour/Sugar Shaker.




 

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

from My Kitchen Cafe (www.melskitchencafe.com)

 

3 to 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (I've also used boneless pork loin - not tenderloin - but pork loin with good results)

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups water

1 tablespoon hickory flavored liquid smoke

2 cups barbecue sauce

 

Rinse the pork shoulder and pat dry. Rub salt and pepper over the pork and place in a slow cooker. Add water and liquid smoke. Cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours, until the pork is very tender.

 

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and discard the remaining liquid. Shred the pork using a couple of forks. Place the meat back in the slow cooker along with the barbecue sauce and continue to cook for another 20-30 minutes until the pork is hot again. Serve on buns with extra barbecue sauce.

Tri Color Pasta Salad
from Aunt Marilyn

1 12 oz. package Pasta Rotini, tri colored, cooked and drained
3 roma tomatoes, diced
1 can black olives, sliced
¼ cups red onion, finely diced
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
6 fresh basil leaves, cut into strips
4 tablespoons basil pesto
2/3 cup creamy Caesar dressing
2 teaspoons sauté spice (equal parts black pepper, salt, and garlic powder)
½-1 cup toasted pine nuts

Cook pasta and coat with Caesar dressing while warm. Add the rest of the ingredients (minus the pine nuts) and toss. Top with toasted pine nuts.

 

Savory Spiral Stuffed Rolls

from My Kitchen Cafe (www.melskitchencafe.com)

 

1 recipe roll dough (that yields about 12 rolls), I usedthis recipe using half wheat flour

12 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened

2 cups chopped ham (leftoverham or deli ham works great here)

1 1/2 cups finely chopped broccoli

2 cups shredded cheese (Swiss, Cheddar..options are limitless)

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup finely chopped green onions

 

Follow the recipe for your roll dough until the dough has risen. Punch down the dough and roll the dough out into a large rectangle about 1/2-inch thick (using thefrench bread roll recipe, I rolled my dough to about 13 inches by 17 inches).

 

In a small bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese. Spread the rolled out dough with the butter/cream cheese mixture. Top with the ham, broccoli, cheese, Parmesan cheese, and green onions (see the pictures below). Roll the dough up, pinching the seam to seal. Slice the roll into about 1-inch segments. Place the rolls on a lightly greased baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Let the rolls rise until nearly doubled and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, until lightly browned and bubbly.


Harvest Chicken Salad

1 large can chicken (i use sams club, awesome)
4 tbs mayo or more to taste
1 granny smith apple, chopped
1/3 cup craisins
1/4 cup chopped almonds, I used the roasted/salted variety

Spread over croissants, pitas, or bread. enjoy. I also will add it to cooked pasta for a quick weeknight meal


Goody Bars

1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey roasted peanuts, chopped
6 cups cornflakes
1 cup semi sweet morsels, melted (about 60 seconds in micro safe dish)

Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Bring sugar and corn syrup to simmer in a large pot. Off heat, add peanut butter, and peanuts, stirring until smooth. Then add cornflakes. scrape mixture into pan, and press it down. Spread melted chocolate over top. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.



Bank 1884 Artichoke Salad
with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

This is a salad that I ordered at The Bank 1884 restaurant in Port Austin, I just had tofigure it out!

So start with a spring mix/mesclun mix salad

Toppings:
Marinated artichokes (i used the ones from sams club, marinated and grilled)
red onions
whole wheat crutons
chopped mushrooms (they used marinated mushrooms)
snow pea pods

The dressing I came up with was a honey mustard vinaigrette

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbs red wine vinegar (I would use white wine vinegar if you had it)
1 tablespoon stone groung mustard or dijon mustard
2 tbs honey
salt and pepper, than about 1/8 tsp of nutmeg


Coconut Tres Leches Cake

from My Kitchen Cafe (www.melskitchencafe.com)

Serves 12-16

Cake:
Make-ahead Yellow Cake Mix or other preferred cake mix or homemade yellow cake recipe

 

Milk Syrup:
1 can (15 ounces) cream of coconut
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Garnishes:
2 medium-size ripe bananas
Sweetened cream (see instructions below)
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted (spread on a rimmed baking sheet and bake it at 350 degrees until golden brown, 7 minutes, or toast it in a skillet over medium-low heat on the stovetop)

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set the baking dish aside. Place the
make-ahead cake mix, 1 1/4 cups warm water and 2 largroom-temperature eggs in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes (if using another cake mix or recipe, bake according to box or recipe instructions). Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake until it is lightly golden and is slightly pulling away from the edges, 30-34 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely, 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the milk syrup: in a blender, combine the cream of coconut, evaporated milk, cream, and vanilla and process until smooth.

Pierce the cooled cake all over the top with the tines of a fork or a thin wooden skewer. We are talking all over! The more pokes, the more the syrup will soak into the cake. Using a large spoon or ladle, spoon some of the milk syrup over the cake. Let the syrup soak into the cake, then continue spooning the syrup on top until all of it has been used up. When you have finished, not all of the syrup will be completely absorbed and might be pooling on the top but that’s ok because it will absorb as it refrigerates. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until all of the syrup is absorbed, 2 hours. Cut the bananas, if using crosswise into ¼-inch slices. Slice the cake and serve it with sliced bananas, sweetened cream and toasted coconut, if desired.
Sweetened Cream:
Pour 1 cup heavy whipping cream into a large (preferably chilled) glass bowl and beat it on high speed until thickened 1 ½ minutes. Stop the machine and add ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Beat on high speed until stiff peak
s form, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Makes 2 cups.

-dessert demo 9/14/2010
adapted slightly from the Pampered Chef Recipe below. I used sugar cookies instead, for presentation