Bell Pepper and Carrot Side Dish

One of my favorite recipes! It is easy, fast, and delicious! Great for those who don't care much for bell peppers but desire to eat them for health benefits. Adjust proportion of carrot to peppers based on your liking.

Green Tea Latte

        Powdered Green Tea (Matcha)
        Milk
        Sweetener of choice  (sugar, syrup, honey, sugar substitute, etc)


With all the many health benefits of green tea, this drink is a great addition to any day!  Serve hot or cold, strong or weak, sweet or not so sweet....make it to your taste!  

Be sure to get matcha powdered green tea.  It is the consistency of powdered sugar but green.  Usual green tea leaves will not work.  You can find matcha in your local asian market. 

If you are using real sugar for the sweetener, heat milk and dissolve sugar first.  then add the matcha and mix.  Simple!  Sugar substitute or honey can be used as well.  Great for diabetics or dieters.

Ham and Cheese Cannelloni

Yet another recipe from a magazine... I believe this was also Rachael Ray. I have altered it a little, though..

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
One 15oz jar Alfredo sauce
8 egg roll wrappers (or however many you need, really.. just get a package.)
Deli sliced ham

Preheat oven to 400.
Reserve 3/4 cup Alfredo sauce, and dump the remaining sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish and spread it around.
Arrange and egg roll wrapper on a work surface, stick some cheese on there, cover it with some ham, roll it up jelly-roll style then stick it seam side down in your pan.
Repeat till you run out of all your stuff and youve made all you wanna make.
Dump the rest of the alfredo sauce on top and spread around, then top with the rest of your cheese.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until its golden brown.

Green chili enchilada chicken

1 pound chicken breasts, thawed
1 big can green chili enchilada sauce

Spray your crock pot with pam spray, add chicken, dump the sauce over the top. Cover and cook on low about 6-8 hours.
Shred the chicken into tortilla shells, add a little sauce on top, then top with lettuce, cheese, salsa sour cream, etc. Roll it up, and chow down.

Anitra gave me this recipe and we love it

Asiago Tater Tots

I got this recipe from my Rachael Ray magazine, and it takes a while to make these so do it when you've got plenty of time. They're worth it though, absolutely delicious!

2 large baking potatoes, grated
1 small onion, grated
1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 TBSP salt
1 tsp garlic powder
Veggie oil, for frying
1/2 cup grated asiago cheese

In a bowl combine potatoes, onion, flour, parmesan, egg yolk, salt and garlic powder.

In a deep skillet, heat 1 inch oil over medium high until it registers 350 on a deep fry thermometer (or drop a piece of potato in there, if it sizzles and cooks, then your oil is ready.)
Form rounded tablespoons of the potato mixture into balls, squeezing out the excess moisture (Best to do this over a bowl. your hands are gonna get IcKy)
Working in batches, drop the little balls o' potatoes into the oil and fry until golden, about 5 minutes (i did turn mine over half way through.)
Drain on paper towels.
Toss tater tots in asiago cheese.

The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of rosemary to mix with the asiago before tossing, But we all did not like it with the rosemary so I'd leave that out.

Roasted Peeps

One great thing about Easter is roasted peeps.

     Peeps

     Kabob

     Fire

1) Put peep on Kabob

2) Place peep over fire roating to roast

3) Enjoy the little piece of heaven

Mayonnaise

Gordon Ramsay is one of my favorite chefs to watch. I hope you enjoy these videos as much as I do! Home made mayo is like nothing you could ever buy at the store. You have to try it at least once!

Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

1 Cup Flour

¾ Cup granulated Sugar

2 Tablespoons Cocoa

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

¼ Teaspoon Salt

½ Cup of Milk

2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 Cup Chopped Nuts (If desired)

1 Cup packed Brown Sugar

¼ Cup Cocoa

1 ¾ Cups hottest Tap Water

Ice Cream

Heat oven to 350. Mix flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, the baking powder and salt in an ungreased square pan, 9x9x2 inches. Mix in milk, oil and vanilla with a fork until smooth. Stir in nuts. Spread in pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and ¼ cup cocoa. Pour hot water over batter.

Bake 40 minute. Serve warm, topped with ice cream. Spoon sauce from pan onto each serving.

Actually posted by Anitra

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 Cups Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon ground Cinnamon

½ Teaspoon Baking Soda

½ Teaspoon ground Nutmeg

½ Cup Butter or Margarine

1 Cup packed Brown Sugar

1 Egg

1 Cup canned Pumpkin

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 Cup Raisins (Yuck, I don’t use these)

½ Cup Chopped Walnuts (Don’t use these either)

Chocolate Chips (Dump them in until it looks good to you) (the more the better)

Heat oven to 375. Grease a cookie sheet. Stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, and nutmeg. In a mixer bowl beat butter for 30 seconds; add brown sugar and beat till fluffy. Add egg, pumpkin, and vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients to beaten mixture, beating till well combined. Stir in raisins and walnuts (Don’t really do that, stir in chocolate chips instead) Drop from teaspoon 2 inches apart onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack (or paper towels).

Actually posted by Anitra

Cheese Soup

¼ cube of Butter

1 Onion

3 Sticks of Celery

2 Carrots

2 Cans of Chicken Broth

3 Cans of Cream of Potato Soup

3 Cups of grated Cheddar Cheese

1 Tablespoon Parsley

3 Shakes of Tabasco

Salt and Pepper to Taste

1 Cup of Sour Cream (Stirred and thinned a little with water)

Melt butter and sauté onions, celery, and carrots t hat have been very finely chopped. Add broth and simmer 30 minutes. Add potato soup, cheese and spices. After heated well add sour cream and stir.

Actually posted by Anitra

Chinese Egg Drop Soup

2 Tablespoons Cornstarch

6 Cups Chicken Broth

1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce

1 ½ Tablespoons Vinegar

Pepper (To taste)

1 Package frozen Peas and Carrots

1 Egg

2 Egg whites

Thin egg noodles

In a large saucepan, blend together the cornstarch with a small amount of chicken broth. Add the rest of the chicken broth. Mix well. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, frozen vegetables, and however many egg noodles looks good to you. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the noodles are as done as you like them, stirring occasionally. After the noodles are done, beat the egg and egg whites together. Slowly drop the egg into the soup (by spoonfuls) while it finishes boiling. Stir and serve.

It is also good to cut up celery really fine and stir in with the peas and carrots, if you like celery.

Actually posted by Anitra

Quick and Easy Cookies

1 Cake Mix (any flavor)

½ Cup Oatmeal (Regular or quick)

1 Cup Chocolate or White Chips

½ Cup Oil

2 Eggs (slightly beaten)

Mix all of the ingredients and place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and remove from cookie sheet.

Actually posted by Anitra

Pasta Salad

I love pasta salad so much.
Heres how I make it:

1 bag of rotini pasta (I like the colorful kind because its fun..)
some cherry tomatoes
a can of sliced olives
1 cucumber, peeled and cubed
1/2 of a red onion, cut into small pieces
1 bottle of Italian dressing

Boil the pasta until its almost done
Drain and let cool.

While the pasta is boiling, get your veggies ready and put them in a bowl.
Pour the dressing on top.
Stir them up and then stick it in the fridge, covered.

After the noodles are cooled off add them to the veggies and let sit over night.
Then eat it.
Its delicious.

Italian cheese bread

I got this recipe from Anitra who got it from a friend of hers, its delicious... I'll upload a picture one day when i make them :)


2 1/2 cups flour
1 t salt
1 t sugar
1T quick rise yeast
1 cup water
1 T vegetable oil
1/4 cup italian dressing
Italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese, grated
Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Combine flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a bowl. Combine water and oil, then add to flour mixture. Mix well, adding more flour if needed to make a soft dough. Turn onto floured surface and knead for 2 minutes or until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 20 minutes. Punch dough down, then place on a greased cake pan and pat to cover the pan. Brush with italian dressing then sprinkle seasonings on top. Sprinkle as much cheese as youd like on top of that, then bake at 450 for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

These are delicious on their own, or you can dunk them in marinara sauce

Popcorn Balls

3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup margarine
2 tsp cold water
2 5/8 cups confectioners sugar
1 cup marshmallows
5 quarts cooked popcorn (Make sure you take the unpopped popcorn out of there or else youll have a chipped tooth.. )

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine corn syrup, margarine, cold water, sugar, and marshmallows. Heat and stir till it boils. Carefully add hot mixture to popcorn, coating each little popcorn piece.

Grease hands with butter and quickly shape into balls. Place on a piece of wax paper, let cool, then wrap in cellophane wrap and store at room temperature

Scrambled Eggs with Gordon Ramsay

Cocoa Brownies

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 350. Mix sugar, margarine, vanilla, and eggs. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread in a greased square pan, 8x8x2 inches.

Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes; cool. Cut into 2 inch squares. Yield: 16 brownies

Ethel's Sugar Cookies

I got this recipe from a friend and no one has any idea who "Ethel" is but who am I to remove the title from her delicious cookies!?

1 1/2 c. soft butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
5 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 400

Combine butter, vanilla and sugar in a bowl and mix until light and fluffy. Beat in one egg at a time and scrape the bowl after each addition. Combine dry ingredients and add to egg mixture gradually until well moistened.

Chill for 1 hour. (Don't skip this step!)

Roll into balls and place on a baking sheet putting a dent in the top of each cookie.
Bake for 6-8 mins depending on the size of cookies you've made.

Cookies are done when the bottoms are light brown - not the tops. If you cook them until the tops are brown the bottom will be burnt.

Sour cream cookies

These are the easiest cookies ever, and theyre so yummy. I think Anitra taught me how to make these (I could be wrong, and if i am, sorry to whoever actually taught me..)

1 devils food cake mix
16 oz. sour cream

Mix em together till its all mixed up. Plop them on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 till done.

Navajo Tacos

These are my kids' favorite...
Im too lazy to make actual scones, so the recipe for scones that I use is my mother in law's roll recipe:

1 cup hot water
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 cups flour
1 pkg yeast

Mix it all up like you would a normal dough, knead it, then pull off chunks and shape into the size and shape of scone you would like to have. Deep fry in hot oil until its golden brown and delicious. On top of the scones we add: chili ground beef lettuce salsa sour cream onions olives tomatoes Pretty much whatever kind of thing you'd put in a taco.. Only these are better :)

Lemonade

I got this recipe from http://www.whatscookingamerica.com/

You can make the simple syrup and add just about anything to it to make a tasty drink, so it doesnt neccessarily need to be lemonade (i like to put some fresh strawberries, some cherries, or limes in it too..)

Pepare a simple syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Combine in a saucepan and boil for 5 minutes, without stirring.
Remove from heat and let cool before using.

Then add:
Juice of 6 freshly squeezed lemons (1 cup)
4 cups cold water
1 sliced lemon, for garnish and icecubes enjoy :)

Diet Pancakes

 I love this website! That's where I found this yummy pancake recipe. Don't forget the sugar free syrup and go easy with the butter! :)

When you're beating the egg whites, make sure you get them pretty stiff because that's what's going to make your pancakes light and fluffy. Enjoy!

Ingredients

3/4	c. cake flour
2	tsp. baking powder
1	tsp. salt
3/4	c. skim milk
2	egg whites

Directions

1. Sprinkle dash of salt on egg whites and beat until stiff, but not dry.
   
2. Add milk to flour and salt. Beat until smooth.
   
3. Add baking powder and beat a few seconds more
   
4. Fold in beaten egg whites.
   
5. Make pancakes!

Epic Meatloaf

1 lb hamburger
1 box Stove Top stuffing
1 cup water
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 egg
1 chopped onion
Seasonings


Combine 1 cup water with the pouch of Stove Top to moisten contents.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Seasonings should be based on
what flavor you're going for. ie: Italian (basil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, etc.),
Mexican (cumin, red pepper, chili powder, salt, etc.) just don't forget
the salt or else it'll taste funny!

Spoon mixture into baking dish* (I use a bread pan). And bake at 350 for
45-60 mins or until done (obviously).

*Before you cook it you can also add things to the top - if you're making
it Mexican style you can put salsa, or if you're doing Italian you can
add spaghetti sauce or Italian dressing. Play around with your favorite
seasonings and have fun with it!

p.s. Heather, I apologize for "epic" but "awesome meatloaf" just didn't sound right...

Best pizza crust ever

Levi hates pizza crust if it isnt thin crust or pizza hut. I love pizza. Thick crusted, delicious pizza. So we went on a quest to find the very best pizza dough ever and we found it.

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 pkg)
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1 1/2 cups HOT water
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil
3 1/3(ish) cups flour

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the water, and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Stir in the salt and oil, then add flour slowly and mix it up until you form a soft dough that can be kneaded (so its not all sticky and gross..)

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until its a nice elasticky dough. Put your ball of dough into a well oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise until doubled (about an hour). Punch it down and form a tight ball, then allow the dough to relax for a minute or two before putting it on your pizza pan.

Preheat your oven to 425. Then squish your pizza dough onto a greased pan, and let it rise for 15-20 minutes. Bake it for about 10 minutes, then add your toppings, and bake it for about 10 more minutes (or until its done)


This recipe also makes delicious bread sticks.. heres how i make them:

After kneading the dough the first time, i squish it kinda flat and sprinkle some grated cheese and italian seasoning on top. Then i knead it some more to get the seasoning and cheese all over in it. Shape it into bread sticks, then brush with olive oil. Top with a little more italian seasoning and a little more cheese. Let it rise for a while (Until you decide its done rising.. i dont know.. whenever you think it looks good. maybe 20 minutes) Then bake it for about 20 minutes or until they're golden brown.

"Popsicle Strawberries"

One of the favorite things to do with strawberries at my house is to freeze them individually and eat them.
How to freeze them individually:
Rinse your strawberries, then pat them dry. Cut off the stem and leaves, and then arrange them on a cookie sheet so they are not touching. Refrigerate for one hour, and then transfer to the freezer over night. In the morning, put them all in a bag.
Then, when the kids want a popsicle or something, they go grab a strawberry. Mersadies says they're kind of hard to eat, but Ayva's are gone in about 2 seconds. You can let them sit out for a little while to thaw, and add them to anything, or just eat them. And they keep for freaking ever in the wonderful freezer :)

Chicken Rolls

We had chicken rolls for dinner, the original way I learned how to make these is with crescent rolls, but my husband hates crescent rolls so I make them with Becky's bun recipe.

Cut up some chicken into small pieces and cook it. Throw it in a bowl with some cream cheese that has been softened and mix it all together, pile it on top of your dough, then bake at 400 until the buns are nice and browned.

Dough recipe:
1 1/2 cup water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
4 cups flour
1 pkg yeast

I put the water in a bowl (make sure its pretty warm) Then add the yeast and let it sit for a few minutes. Then add the rest of the ingredients, knead it, roll it out, put the yummy chicken on it and cook it.

I like to add other things inside of there (cabbage, carrots, celery, etc.) But nobody else in my family likes that... Its good though.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

I found this recipe at Allrecipes.com and have made it several times. It is SO good!

• 1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a medium bowl, mix together cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.
2. In a saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to boil, and continue boiling 5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt white chocolate chips with half-and-half, stirring occasionally until smooth.
4. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in vanilla and melted white chocolate. Pour half of batter over crust. Spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over batter. Pour remaining cheesecake batter into pan, and again spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over the top. Swirl batter with the tip of a knife to create a marbled effect.
5. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 8 hours before removing from pan. Serve with remaining raspberry sauce. 

Flour tortillas

Today Ayva and I made flour tortillas so we can have some quesadillas for dinner.. Heres the recipe:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, cut into pieces (i use vegetable oil)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup warm water

Directions:
In a bowl, blend flour, salt, baking powder and shortening until it resembles fine meal.
Add warm water, a little at a time, to flour mixture and toss until liquid is incorporated (Water amount will vary)

Form dough into a ball and knead on a floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic. Divide, and make 12 smaller balls. Cover and let stand at least 30 minutes.

To cook:
Roll each ball of dough out on a floured surface to make 6 or 7 inch sized tortillas. Place on a preheated griddle or skillet and cook until medium golden on both sides.
Remove to a basket lined with a cloth towel, or put between a towel, until cool. After they have cooled completely, store them in a plastic bag.


These are the tastiest ever, and easy to make. They take a little while to cook, so do this when you have a little bit of time on your hands :) Its worth it..

Hot Hamburger sandwiches and fries.

Tonight we had hot hamburger sandwiches and fries. It is one of our favorite meals.

Seasoned Fries.
I peeled and cut up my potatoes this morning and put them in cold water in the fridge. This is not a requirement I just had the time this morning and knew I wouldn't have the time tonight.

In a plastic bag I  put a little flour, season salt, garlic powder, pepper, chili powder and paprika. I then shook the bag a little to combine everything and then added the fries and shook to coat them. I then baked them on a greased pan at 400 degrees until they were done. (I poked them with a fork every once in a while to tell how tender they were)

Then I mad some hamburgers. After they were all cooked I add the cheese, I like Provolone and The Hairy Hubby likes Colby Jack or Cheddar. A trick to melting the cheese is to add a little water and then put the lid on, the steam from the water will melt the cheese marvelously.

For the gravy we just use the brown gravy packets and follow the directions on the packet.. although sometimes i add dried onions to the gravy.

For the bread you can use a bun and put a burger on each side or tonight we used a slice of Bountiful Baskets' Chabata bread.

-Heather

Chocolate Cake

3 cups flour              2 cups cold water

6 tbsp. cocoa           2 tsp. vinegar

2 tsp. baking soda    3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp. salt                 2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients.

Bake for 30-40 mins or until toothpick inserted

into middle of cake comes out clean.