Fried Rice

Trevor found this off of the internet and made it. DELICIOUS!

• 1 - 2 green onions, as desired
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons oil for stir-frying, or as needed
• 4 cups cold cooked rice
• 1 - 2 tablespoons light soy sauce or oyster sauce, as desired

Wash and finely chop the green onion. Lightly beat the eggs with the salt and pepper.

Heat a wok or frying pan and add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the eggs. Cook, stirring, until they are lightly scrambled but not too dry. Remove the eggs and clean out the pan.

Add 2 tablespoons oil. Add the rice. Stir-fry for a few minutes, using chopsticks or a wooden spoon to break it apart. Stir in the soy sauce or oyster sauce as desired.

When the rice is heated through, add the scrambled egg back into the pan. Mix thoroughly. Stir in the green onion. Serve hot.

Chicken Salad 2

4 cups chopped chicken (cooked)
1 cup chopped celery
2 tsp grated onion or chopped green onions
1 (20 oz) can pineapple (drained)
1/2 cup seedless grapes cut in 1/2
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Combine chicken, celery, onion pineapple, and grapes in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl mix together mayo, salt, and pepper.

Fold dressing into chicken mixture until well coated.

Sawdust Salad

3 oz. orange jello
3 oz. lemon jello
1 16 oz. crushed pineapple
1 pkg small marshmallows
1 pkg cream cheese
1 cup pineapple juice
2 bananas diced
1/2 pint whip cream
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp flour

Dissolve jello in 2 cups boiling water.

Add 1 1/2 cups cold water.

Drain pineapple and save juice.

Pour jello in 9*13 dish, add pineapple and diced bananas sprinkle marshmallows.

Let it set.

Custard layer: Mix egg, add sugar, pineapple juice and flour.

Cook until thick and then cool.

Spread this over the marshmallows.

Whip cream cheese, gradually add whip cream until it is spreadable.

Refrigerator Bran Muffin Mix

1 cup whole bran
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup shortening
4 eggs
1 quart buttermilk
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
5 tsp baking soda
4 cups bran flakes
3 cups raisins

Cream eggs,sugar, and shortening.
Add flour, salt, and baking soda.
Mix everything else and store in refrigerator for 6 weeks.
Bake 350 degrees 25-30 min

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips

Cream margarine, shortening, and sugar.

Mix dry ingredients together.

Blend in remaining ingredients together.

Dip on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 min.

Herb Rolls

1 can buttermilk biscuits
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 tsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp whole dill seeds
1/4 tsp onion flakes
1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Melt butter.

Mix all ingredients to the butter except biscuits.

Cut biscuits in quarters.

Dip pieces in butter mixture on both sides.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 min. or until golden brown.

Christmas Poppycock

1 large box of corn chex
1/2-1 cup slivered almonds
1-2 cups peanuts
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white karo syrup

Boil sugar, butter, and syrup rapidly for 4 min.

Pour over other items and mix.

Let cool and enjoy!

Chicken Curry

pasta (any kind you like I like to use rotini or penne)
Chicken cooked and diced
30 oz. cream of chicken
1 cup mayo
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp curry
thin out with chicken broth

Preheat oven 375 degrees

Mix all ingredients except the veggies, pasta, and chicken.

In a 9*13 pan lay the pasta down first then the veggies of your choice then the chicken.

Next pour the sauce on top.

Cook for 30-40 min.

(With the last 5 min add cheese if desired)

Yummy Chicken Marinade

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp ginger
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 Tbsp fresh parsley

Mix all ingredients and marinade chicken for at least 2 hours.

Fajita Marinade

My mother-in-law's recipe SO GOOD!

1/2 cup soy sauce
1 cup pineapple juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garlic
2 Tbsp lime juice

Mix all ingredients and marinade the meat for at least 4 hours.

Cranberry Sauce

12 oz. cranberries
1 cup white sugar
1 cup orange juice

Combine sugar and orange juice in a hot pan wait until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cranberries and stir then wait for the popping noise which will take about 10 min. Remove from heat and it will harden once it cools.

Chicken-Thyme Penne

3 cups penne pasta
4 cups chicken (cooked and cubed)
2 cups red grapes (halved)
2 medium stalks (sliced)
1/3 cup onion (chopped)
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp dried thyme
1 1/4 cup mayo
1 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp ground mustard
1 tsp salt
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Cook and drain pasta then rinse with cold water.

In a large bowl mix pasta, chicken, grapes, celery and onions.

In a small bowl mix oil and 1 tsp of thyme.

Pour oil mixture over chicken mixture-toss to coat.

In small bowl mix mayo, milk, honey, mustard, salt and remaining thyme.

Add to chicken mixture refrigerate for 2 hours-add nuts before serving.

Greek Salad Pasta

8 oz. rotini pasta
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
3 cups sliced mushrooms
15 halved cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 can chopped olives (4 oz.)

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate 2 hours.

Cream Cheese Frosting

3 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

Chili

1 lb ground beef (cooked)
1 chopped onion
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans kidney beans
1/2 cup chopped diced chiles
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 can tomato sauce

Combine all ingredients and cook in a crock-pot for six hours.

Eat with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

Rice Krispie Treat

I do this in the microwave just because I am lazy but if you do it on the stove more power to ya!

3 Tbsp butter
4 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups rice Krispies

Melt the butter and marshmallows together in the microwave for one minute (take out the mixture in 20 sec increments and stir).

Once everything is melted stir in the Rice Krispies.

Put the mixture in a greased 9*13 pan cover and let it cool for 5-10 min.

Enjoy!

German Pancakes 2

6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven 400 degrees

Grease 9*13 pan with melted butter

Place eggs, milk, and flour in a blender and whip until smooth.

Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 20 min or until golden.

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, buttermilk, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda and boil for
7 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Spoon over slices of pancakes.

Substitute for buttermilk: 1 Tbsp of lemon juice to one cup of milk

7 layer dip

Technically this is a five layer dip but you can put on olives and guacamole if you would like.

1 can re-fried beans
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 pint sour cream
1 package McCormick taco seasoning

2 cups cheddar cheese
1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese

green onions
tomatoes

Mix the re-fried beans, ground cumin, and garlic powder together then spread it in a 9 *13 pan.

Mix the sour cream and taco seasoning together and layer on top of the beans mixture in the pan.

Cut up tomatoes and lay on top of the sour cream mixture.

Cut up green onions and lay it on top of the tomatoes.

Combine both cheeses then lay it on top of the tomatoes.

Cover and refrigerate until desired.

Meatloaf 2

This recipe was given to me by my grandmother when I got married.

1 lb. ground beef
1/3 cup soft bread crumbs (2slices bread in blender)
1 egg
1 tsp prepared mustard
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup water
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Combine first five ingredients.
Shape into a rectangle on wax paper.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Roll up like jelly roll.
Press ends
Place in shallow baking dish and slam down.
Combine last three ingredients and pour over roll.
Bake uncovered 350 degrees for 50 min.

Cream of Corn

2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour

1 bag corn
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp sugar


1. Mix flour and butter and make a roo (I don't know how to spell sorry)

2. Add all ingredients except the corn and mix it to the consistency you desire.

3. Add bag of corn (you can put as much corn as you like)

4. Serve hot.

Sweet Potatoes

3 cups mashed yams (about 3 large yams cooked)
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter
Dash cloves
Dash nutmeg
1 egg beaten

1. Cook yams.
2. Mix all ingredients



Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup softened margarine or butter


3. Blend together all ingredients with two knives, until crumbly.
4. Place yams in lightly greased dish and add topping.
5. Bake 350 degrees for 35 min.

German Pancakes

6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cube butter

Preheat oven 400 degrees

1. Mix ingredients with an electric mixer.

2. While oven is heating melt 2/3 cube butter in 9*13 pan.

3. Pour mixed ingredients in pan and bake 15 min.

4. Serve with syrup and powder sugar.

Chili Roast

1 Roast
4 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic
1 can tomato juice

In a Crock-pot Cook Roast with garlic until half way done.
Add all the ingredients.
Shred meat.
Serve like you would for tacos.

Fried Rice

I don't have exact measurements I just eyeball this. This recipe is fun because you can really put whatever you want in the rice it's a matter of opinion as far as flavor goes.

Rice
Bacon
Carrots chopped
Frozen peas
Soy Sauce
Eggs


Make Rice set aside
Cook bacon poor a little grease out
Chop up carrots and use grease to cook it
Put rice in the pan once the carrots are done add a dash of salt and pepper
Add frozen peas in the pan
Crumble the bacon and add in the pan
Push the rice on one side of the pan and cook the egg(scrambled) in the same pan on the opposite side of the rice
Combine everything add some soy sauce and enjoy.

Angel Food Cake Cupcakes

I have this recipe book called Deceptively Delicious book and this book is great if you have kids and you want to add veggies and fruits to their diet without them even knowing it!

5 large egg whites
3/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup yellow squash puree
1 tsp pure lemon extract
1 tsp grated lemon or orange zest

Preheat oven 350 degrees

1. Line 12 cup muffin tin with paper baking cups

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt.

3. Beat until the egg whites double in volume and stiff peaks form, 4-5 min.

4. Add the flour, sugar, squash puree, lemon extract, and zest; using a rubber spatula, gently fold these ingredients into the egg whites just until combined. Divide the batter among the muffin cups and bake until the tops of the cupcakes are lightly browned and spring back to the touch, 18-20 min.

5. Turn the cupcakes out onto a rack to cool.

Roasted Corn and Chicken Tostada

I found this recipe on the Special K website.

Ingredients

• 1 (7-inch) whole wheat flour tortilla or flour tortilla
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1/3 cup frozen whole kernel corn
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 4 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in to bite-size pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 2 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon fat-free sour cream

Directions

1. Lightly coat both sides of tortilla with cooking spray. Place on baking sheet. Bake at 400° F about 10 minutes or until crisp.

2. Meanwhile, in small nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray cook corn over medium-high heat for 1 to 3 minutes or until beginning to brown, stirring frequently. Remove from skillet. Set aside.

3. In same small skillet heat oil. Add chicken, chili powder and cumin. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Stir in salsa, beans and corn. Heat through.

4. Place tortilla on serving plate. Top with lettuce, chicken mixture, cheese and sour cream. Serve immediately.

Make It A Meal

• 1 container (6 oz.) low-fat lemon yogurt topped with 1/3 cup raspberries or blueberries and 1 tablespoon reduced-fat, non-dairy whipped topping
• 1/2 cup orange juice mixed with 1/2 to 1 cup sparkling water

(Total Calories: 270)

Monkey Bread

My husband's mother gave me this recipe and YUM! She is my inspiration.

1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 package butterscotch pudding (not instant pudding)
22 frozen rolls

1. Mix cinnamon and sugar.

2. Coat the rolls in butter.

3. Coat rolls in the sugar cinnamon mixture.

4. Then put all of the rolls in a bundt pan.

5. Sprinkle all of the pudding on top of the rolls.

6. With the rest of the butter sprinkle on top (if you don't have enough you can melt more butter)

7. Let it rise overnight uncovered.

8. Preheat oven 325 degrees and bake for 30 min.

9. Turn out of pan while hot and enjoy.

Frosting for Banana Squares

1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 tablespoons milk

In a medium sized pot melt butter until brown then take it off of the stove then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Now you are ready to put it on the banana squares.

Banana Squares

My mom would make these for our family and I am in love with this recipe. It is so yummy.

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs

1 3/4 cup bananas (4-5)
2 tsp vanilla
2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees

2. Beat the four ingredients (in bold) until creamy.

3. Blend banana and vanilla together for one minute.

4. Add all of the dry ingredients and mix.

5. Pour in a greased cookie sheet.

6. Bake 20-25 min until golden.

Grilled Chicken Salad

I found this recipe from the Special K challenge.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce fresh green beans, trimmed (about 8 beans)
• 1 medium boneless, skinless chicken breast half (about 6 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic pepper seasoning blend
• 2 cups torn mixed greens
• 1/2 medium carrot, shaved into thin slices
• 1/4 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cut into slivers
• 1/4 cup sliced cucumber
• 1 radish, sliced
• 1/2 cup halved yellow and/or red grape tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons reduced-fat balsamic vinaigrette

Directions

1. In large saucepan plunge green beans into boiling water for 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain. Cool.

2. Brush chicken on both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic pepper seasoning. Grill chicken directly over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender and no longer pink, turning once. Cut into slices.

3. Meanwhile, place greens on serving plate. Arrange green beans, carrot, bell pepper, cucumber and radish on top. Sprinkle with tomatoes. Top with chicken. Serve with balsamic vinaigrette.

Make It A Meal

• 1 whole wheat dinner roll with 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 cup low-fat chocolate sorbet with 1/2 cup red raspberries and 2 tablespoons reduced-fat non-dairy whipped topping

(Total Calories: 450)

Play-dough

3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups salt
3 cups water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
a few drops of food coloring or 1 package of unsweetened Kool-Aid

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a large saucepan.

2. Cook over medium low heat, stirring intermittently, until the dough comes away from the edges of the pan and becomes thick so it is difficult to move the spoon. Remove from heat.

3. Let play-dough cool in the pan until it can be handled.

4. Turn play-dough out on the counter or on wax paper and knead 3-4 times.

5. Play! Store in an air tight container.

Healthy. Happy. Hair

Check out my blog! http://colettesupdos.blogspot.com/

Honey-Baked Bananas

Okay this is REALLY good! I put this on top of vanilla ice cream with caramel syrup. Wow it is sooooo good.

2 medium bananas
1 Tbsp butter melted
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp lemon juice

Preheat oven 350
Place the bananas in a greased 1 qt baking dish
Combine butter, honey, and lemon juice
Drizzle over the bananas
Bake uncovered for 10-12 min

Seared Steak Salad

This is sooooo good! I love it and it's healthy.

1 ounce fresh green beans, trimmed
2 cups torn mixed greens
1/2 cup quartered grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
3 Tbsp fat-free Caesar salad dressing
1/2 tsp ground cumin
dash salt
dash pepper
4 ounces boneless sirloin steak,cut 1-inch thick
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp chopped red onion
1/4 ounce shaved fresh Parmesan cheese

1. In large saucepan plunge green beans into boiling water for 10 min. or until crisp-tender. Drain. Cool.

2. In medium bowl combine greens, tomatoes and salad dressing. Add green beans. Toss until combined. Arrange on serving plate.

3. In small bowl stir together cumin, salt and pepper. Rub on both sides of steak. In a small nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray cook steak over medium heat for 9-12 min. or until desired. Remove from skillet. Cut steak across grain into thin slices. Arrange on top of greens mixture. ( I cheated and used the George Foreman)

4. Sprinkle lemon juice over steak. Top salad with onion and cheese.

Blog

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Meatloaf

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 cup italian bread crumbs
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
salt
pepper

1/3 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp brown sugar

Preheat oven 350* Combine everything (mix well) except the ketchup and brown sugar. Spray the loaf pan A LOT before placing the meatloaf in. Then mix the ketchup and brown sugar together and put it on top of the meatloaf. Cook for one hour.

Three Bean Chili

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced (1 cup)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
• 2 carrots, diced (1/2 cup)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 pound extra-lean ground beef (90 percent lean)
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded and minced
• 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from the can of chipotles
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Directions
Heat the oil in large pot or Dutch oven over moderate heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and carrots, cover and cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the cumin and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the ground beef; raise the heat to high and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is no longer pink. Stir in the tomatoes, water, chipotle and adobo sauce, oregano and salt and pepper. Cook, partially covered, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes. Stir in the beans and continue cooking, partially covered, 20 minutes longer. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Sweet Pork Recipe Cafe Rio Style

SWEET PORK:
2 pounds pork (we like to use boneless pork ribs)
3 cans Coke (NOT diet)
1/4 c. brown sugar
dash garlic salt
1/4 c. water
1 can sliced green chilies
3/4 can RED enchilada sauce (I used Old El Paso brand, medium spiciness)
1 c. brown sugar

Put the pork in a heavy duty Ziploc bag to marinade. Add about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 c. of brown sugar. Marinade for a few hours or overnight.

Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don't let it get TOO dry). Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. Shred pork.

In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste..). If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little.

Put shredded pork and sauce in crock pot and cook on low for 2 hours. That's it!

Tomato Basil Soup 2

Ingredients
• 4 lb tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 6-8 garlic cloves, left unpeeled
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh oregano, minced [use only 1/2 tsp if you used dried]
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced [use only 1 tsp if using dried basil]
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
Directions
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat to 350°F.
Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, in 1 layer in a large shallow baking pan and add garlic to pan. Drizzle tomatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast tomatoes and garlic 1 hour, then cool in pan on a rack. Peel garlic.
Cook onion, oregano, basil, and sugar in butter in a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, and stock and simmer, covered, 20 minutes.
Purée soup in batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids), then force through a sieve into cleaned pot, discarding solids. Stir in cream and salt and pepper to taste and simmer 2 minutes.
Divide soup among 8 bowls

Fajitas from Chilis

Ingredients:
1/4 cup lime juice
2 Tbls. olive oil
4 cloves garlic - crushed
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound sirloin steak OR boned, skinned chicken breasts
2 Tbls. water
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
1 dash salt
1 dash black pepper
1 Tbls. olive oil
1 Spanish onion - sliced thin
1/2 green bell pepper - seeded, sliced thin
1/2 red bell pepper - seeded, sliced thin
1/2 yellow bell pepper - seeded, sliced thin

Directions:
Combine the lime juice, oil, garlic, soy sauce, salt, liquid smoke, peppers, and either the sirloin OR the chicken in a plastic container with cover, or a zipper top plastic bag and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Discard leftover marinade.

Grill meat over medium flame 4-5 minutes on each side. Cut meat into thin strips. Set aside and keep warm. Combine the 2 Tbls. water, soy sauce, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside. Cook onion and peppers in oil until brown. Remove from heat. Pour reserved mixture over onions and peppers. Combine meat, onions, and peppers.

Serve on flour tortillas with cheese, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, and lettuce.

Tomato Basil Soup

I'm trying this today!

4 tomatoes seeded, peeled, and diced
4 cups tomato juice
14 leaves fresh basil
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
salt and pepper to taste

Place tomatoes and juice in a stock pot over med heat. Simmer for 30 min. Puree the tomato mixture along with the basil leaves, and return the puree to the stock pot.

Place the pot over med heat, and stir in the heavy cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Do not boil.

(When I peeled the tomatoes I just put them in boiling water for 15 seconds and the peel comes right off)

So I tried it and YUM!I put half the amount of butter and I would not put any more salt in it. Those are my tips!

Easy Pesto

I liked this but it wasn't my favorite. I think it needed some Parmesan cheese.

1/4 cup almonds
3 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
1 pinch ground nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven 450 degrees. Place almonds on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.

In a food processor, combine all ingredients. Process until coarse paste is formed.

Enjoy!

Alfredo Sauce

1/2 cup butter
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
2 tsp garlic powder
2 cups milk
6 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp pepper

Melt butter in a medium, non-stick saucepan over medium heat. Add cream cheese and garlic powder, stirring with wire whisk until smooth. Add milk, a little at a time whisking to smooth out the lumps. Stir in Parmesan cheese and pepper. Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired consistency. Sauce will thicken rapidly, thin with milk if cooked too long. Toss with hot pasta to serve.

Country Style Bbq Chicken

I found this on allrecipes.com as well. I like to use chicken tenders just because I like to be able to have small servings and then I can get more whenever I want to.

1/2 cup chopped onions
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp dry mustard
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Mix onion, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, and pepper in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook 15 min, stirring occasionally.

Preheat oven to 350degrees. Lightly grease a baking dish.

Arrange chicken in the baking dish. Poor sauce over the chicken.

Bake 25 min in the oven until the chicken juices run clear.

Serve with rice or you can serve alone with other sides!

Banana Frittata

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com I love this because I always have left over bananas that are just a little to ripe that nobody wants to eat them in my family!

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
pinch salt
2 Tbsp white sugar (splenda)
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
2 large sliced bananas
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tbsp flour

In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly until smooth.
Add the eggs one at a time stirring well.
Stir in bananas.
Heat oil and butter in a 9" non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Pour the mixture in by spoonfuls, spreading the mixture evenly across the pan.
When the bottom has turned a golden brown turn the frittata and cook over low heat until golden brown on the other side.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Japanese Chicken

This is my husband's favorite meal. I got this from my mother which got it on allrecipes.com I love that website you can find the best recipes on that thing.

12 boneless skinless chicken tenders
3 eggs
1-2 cups of flour
1 cup butter

Sauce:

3Tbsp Soy sauce
3 Tbsp water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven 350 degrees
In a bowl combine soy sauce, water, sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and salt. Set aside.

Cut chicken into 1/2" cubes. Coat the chicken with egg and then flour.

(My trick is to put the chicken in a strainer over the sink and then add the eggs onto the chicken while it is in the strainer. Once the chicken is coated and most the egg is strained then add the flour mix that around in the strainer and there you have coated chicken without a HUGE mess!)

Over med-high heat melt the butter.

Fry the chicken in the butter until golden brown.

Put in a 9*13 pan and poor the sauce on top of the chicken until all coated and cook for 30-45 min. Serve with rice.

Mint Lemonade

I also had this at lunch with my friends and it was DELICIOUS!

1 cup chopped mint leaves
1 cup sugar
1 cup lemon juice

Boil water then take it off the stove and put mint leave in it. Dissolve the sugar in the mint water. Strain the water into the pitcher. Add lemon juice. Add enough water to make 2 quarts. Refrigerate.

Dill Sauce

Combine:

1 cup plain yogurt
chopped fresh dill to taste (I like 1/4 cup)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Cloves of garlic (minced)

Refrigerate and eat when desired!

Falafel

So I went to a friends house and we had a middle eastern food for lunch! I LOVED it. Some people hate it some people love it. You already know how I felt about it so here we go.

1 lb chick peas, garbanzo beans, or split peas
1/2-1 cup chopped fresh parsley OR tbsp dried parsley
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic OR 1 tsp garlic salt
1 Tbsp paprika
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp salt
1/2 Tbsp cumin
Dash of cayenne pepper
1 cup flour
water for the right consistency

Food Process everything together. Make into balls and deep fry until nice and golden brown.

Serve in Pitas with romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and dill sauce. See dill sauce recipe above.

Mac and Cheese

This recipe was given to me by a good friend of mine. This is definitely a comfort food.

1 Pound of Rigatoni or Penne Pasta
1 pkg of Havarti Cheese (shred)
4 cups Milk
Salt
Pepper
Thick deli ham sliced into 1/2" squares
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup and 2Tbsp of flour

Preheat oven 425
Bring water to boil. Add pasta. Cook for 4 minutes, drain and then set aside. On medium heat melt butter in sauce pan add flour and whisk until creamy (1-2 min). Alternate adding milk and whisking until creamy. Add 3/4 of the Havarti cheese whisk until creamy. Add ham. Combine sauce and pasta in a large bowl. Put in a greased 9*13 pan. Sprinkle the rest of cheese and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.

Where do I Start?

It has been a while hasn't it? Well I am finally coming back! I had a baby four months ago so I haven't been able to cook as much as I have wanted to. I have made new recipes that I just LOVE. I hope all of you enjoy!

Ideas For Combining Meals

Ingredients:

Chicken
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
Green Onions
Pineapple
Chinese Hard Noodles
Rice

So I LOVE to make Chinese Sundays. That's what my mother calls them. It is very simple you use two cans of fat free cream of chicken a cup of fat free sour cream and then mix it together. Then you just put your chicken in a crock pot (can be frozen) and put the mixture over it and just let it cook for about 4-6 hours. Then you shred the chicken which will take you like two seconds. Then serve on rice and cut up the rest of the ingredients and put out for people to choose what they would like on their own.


As Far as combining this into another recipe I take the chicken and the bell peppers and onions and I mix it all together after the meal and then I put it in the fridge. The next day I take my pita bread out stuff it with the chicken and some yummy sprouts (optional) and there you have it lunch for the next day!

Shake

As most of you know I had a baby in February so my hands have been tied down for a while. I have finally found some time to write some of my recipes down. Well not my recipes but ones that I have found to be most excellent! I came across a recipe for a shake from the Dr. Oz show and it is great. It sounds disgusting but it really is good trust me on this one. So here it goes.

Ingredients

Serves 4

1 banana

1 cup frozen raspberries

1 cup orange juice

1 container non-fat strawberry yogurt

8 baby carrots

Handful fresh spinach

2 tsp flaxseed oil

2 scoops vanilla protein powder ( any brand)

¼ cup dry oatmeal

Yummiest Treat

I have no idea what these treats are called but they are so YUMMY!

Oreo's
Cream Cheese
Chocolate

Yes that is all! You crush up all of the Oreo's then you mix it with Cream Cheese in a bag. Then you roll them into quarter size balls. Put it in the fridge about an hour and then you melt chocolate over them. TO DIE FOR! I will make them and put up a picture but they are sooo yummy.