Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Fat Free, Microwave, Potato Chips!

A foodie friend of mine named Sherri Logan, showed me a recipe she found on the Internet for microwave potato chips! As soon as I saw it I knew I had to try it! Well, they were VERY good! I made the chips in various flavors such as seasoned salt, onion, and red hot sauce flavors! I liked the onion flavored the best! I just sprinkled the uncooked potato slices with kosher salt( just a scant pinch on each slice) and onion powder before microwaving. My teen daughter loved the red hot sauce flavored. I made those by just adding one drop on each uncooked potato slice, then I smeared it across the entire slice before microwaving! Here are my photos of the process...
You will need a mandoline for this...and a bowl of cold water.
This is how thin to slice the potatoes...1/8 of an inch.

Fat Free, Microwave, Potato Chips
These are the finished chip! Crunchy and fat free!!!

Here's is the link to the recipe...
This is not the kind of chips you'll want to make for a large crowd because it's time consuming! But it's perfect for a family of 4...I used 2 large russet potatoes and it was just enough for the 4 of us!

Pass the Passatelli Please!

 Passatelli is a cheese pasta dough! This is the easiest homemade pasta dough I ever made! It's just plain breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese and eggs. The pasta is then cooked in chicken broth. That's it...this meal takes less than 30 minutes to make! I served it with crusty homemade garlic toast! I found this recipe on the Internet, but the photos are my own.
The dough is pressed through the large holes of a potato ricer and then dropped right into simmering chicken broth.


Passatelli
Passatelli

INGREDIENTS;

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Breakfast or Dessert!

I'm not sure which category this fits under so I just eat it for both! This is a recipe from a cook named MichelleM. I tried this and loved it! If you like french toast and you like apple pie, you'll love this! I added my photo!
Apple Pie Sandwiches
Apple Pie Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS;

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Get Your Chocolate Fix!

I love cornbread and I love chocolate...so I combined the two and made this absolutely perfect chocolate dessert! I used my favorite cornbread recipe that I got from a foodie friend, and I tweaked it a bit! It worked great!
Chocolate Cornbread
Chocolate Cornbread

INGREDIENTS;

Sunday, February 19, 2012

One Pan Whiskey Pork Chops!

Creamy pork chops with lots of mushrooms!
Goes great with mashed potatoes and Italian green beans!.
This is a recipe I've made many times and its amazingly good! It's from a foodie named Skystone from Boeme, Texas. This recipe is a big hit with my fellow foodies! Many of my friends have made these pork chops and LOVED them! The picture is from the first time I made this!
One Pan Whiskey Pork Chops
One Pan Whiskey Pork Chops
INGREDIENTS;

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Fruit Focaccia

Delicious fruit focaccia done on pizza dough. Lite and fruity and I loved it! This was posted by a cook named Pleclare who found this in Good Housekeeping. The photo is my own.

Fruit Focaccia
Fruit Focaccia

INGREDIENTS;

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A Very Addictive Bread!

 Light and fluffy pan bread with a caramelized onion topping! It's so good, I couldn't stop eating it! This took less than 1 hour to make, including prep and bake time! This would be great as a side dish or an appetizer!
 I found this recipe on the Internet...posted by a cook known as 52to64.
And as usual, the photo is my own!
Caramelized Onion Upside-Down Pan Bread
Caramelized Onion Upside-Down Pan Bread

INGREDIENTS;

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Recycle Your Pickle Brine!

Recycle Your Pickle Brine - Easy Homemade Pickles
I remember hearing that you can make a new jar of pickles from your leftover jar of pickle juice (brine), so that's what I did!
 Here is how it's done...

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Perfect 'Comfort Soup' Weather!

When its cold outside there's nothing better than a warm bowl of hearty, stick to your ribs, soup! This is my 'go to' soup recipe! It's not only 'souper' (lol) easy, but it's also 'souper' quick...and it tastes like you cooked it all day!

Cowboy Soup
Cowboy Soup

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Heart Shaped Hard Boiled Eggs!

When I saw this idea I just had to give it a try!
 I just thought it was so cute! So I tried this today!
My teen daughter LOVED it! I guess I'm a cool Mom now! But that won't last long!
I found the egg idea on this blog link...**Heart Eggs**

Here's the photos of my egg!
Heart Shaped Hard Boiled Eggs
This is how it looks when the warm peeled egg is being molded into the heart shape! Only takes about 10 minutes! I covered the cardboard with plastic wrap to make sure the egg didn't stick to it!
Heart Shaped Hard Boiled Eggs
Before slicing in half
Heart Shaped Hard Boiled Eggs
And Viola...a adorable heart shaped hard boiled egg!

See how easy! Try it, you'll love it!

Snow Grapes!!!

I'd never heard of this recipe until I saw it on Allrecipes.com It sounded like such a refreshing fruit salad and it was so very easy to make...so I knew I just had to try it! Well, it was the talk of the party! It's healthy too! And low fat, which is always a plus! I'm posting the recipe with the changes I made (as suggested by an AR member named SunnyByrd)...
Snow Grapes


INGREDIENTS;
4 pounds seedless grapes - red & green
1 cup sour cream - low fat
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese - low fat
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
zest of one orange

Friday, February 3, 2012

Fun Desserts!

I'm always looking for desserts that are out of the ordinary! That's why I knew I had to try these next two recipes! The first recipe is called 'Surprise Inside Cupcakes' and what I love about the recipe is that's it's a 'made from scratch' batter, plus you can customize the cupcake to your liking! The surprise inside has so many options! I've tried it with chocolate covered caramels, chocolate peanut butter cups and chocolate covered peppermints! All were perfect for this cupcake. You can also use whatever flavor cake you like. I've made these cupcakes in chocolate just by adding about 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter.

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The second dessert recipe is so unique and interesting because it's made with a can of tomato soup. I've never heard of such a thing but this recipe got great reviews! It's fun to see every one's expression when they find out about the tomato soup...but I never tell them until after they take the first bite! This cake tastes very much like a carrot cake or a spice cake! It's delicious! I like to glaze it with a sweet cream cheese frosting!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

SURPRISE INSIDE CUPCAKES
SURPRISE INSIDE CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS;
1 1/8 cups all purpose flour 
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk, any kind (I used 1%)
Hershey's chocolate kisses
vanilla frosting, or any flavor you like

DIRECTIONS;
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line muffin tin with cupcake papers.  You will need about 8 to 10.  Fill the empty ones half way with water so that the pan doesn't burn.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream both sugars with the butter.  Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.  Beat in the flour mixture, alternating with the milk.  Mix until just incorporated.

4. Fill muffin cups 1/3 full.  Place a chocolate kiss in the center. Top with more batter until 2/3 full.

5. Bake on center rack for 18 - 20 minutes or until the center of cupcake springs back when lightly touched.  Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.

Note: This recipe only makes about 8-10 cupcakes, but you can double all the ingredients to make more.  I've done that with no problems at all!

 


TOMATO SOUP CAKE

INGREDIENTS;
2 tablespoon butter
1 cup sugar 
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 can tomato soup
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

DIRECTIONS; 
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Cream the butter and sugar, add in the egg and beat.

2. Dissolve the baking soda in the tomato soup.

3. Sift together the flour, cinnamon and cloves.  Mix with the butter/sugar mixture.  Add the soup.  Pour into a buttered 8x8x2-inch pan.


4. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes.  Test for doneness.  Let cool and top either with powdered sugar or cream cheese frosting.
This cake tastes best when served cold, not warm!


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Great Food For a Crowd!

The Water Chestnuts Wrapped in Bacon is the first recipe listed on this page of 'Great Food For a Crowd'... a delicious little hors d'oeuvre! It's crunchy, salty, smokey and sweet! I've made this many times for parties and it goes quickly! I double this recipe every time I make it! 
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The second recipe listed is Easy Pulled Pork Sandwiches! This is the absolute, best pulled pork sandwich I've ever had! And I've had many, from many famous BBQ places! But none were as perfectly balanced in flavor as this one! The sweet barbecue sauce is a must on this sandwich! This recipe was originally posted by one of my favorite cooks, known to her foodie friends as Marky90.
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The third recipe listed is Mexican Meatballs! I tried these delicious little meatballs when I saw them on a cooking site! They were very popular and everyone on the site who tried this recipe loved them! The meatballs have a cube of jalapeno jack cheese inside each one! And the sauce has a very authentic Mexican flavor! I'm posting the recipe the way I made them and I'm adding my photo. I served these as cocktail meatballs and my guests loved them too!
The original recipe was posted by a cook known as Rosemaryblue.
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And the last recipe listed on this page is my own creation of Chicken Chili! Its always been a favorite of my family! The secret is the 6 simple spices that I use in many of my Southwestern recipes! Its a very mild chili, but you can double the cayenne if you want it a little spicier!
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Water Chestnuts Wrapped in Bacon
Water Chestnuts Wrapped in Bacon

INGREDIENTS;

1 (8-ounce) can whole water chestnuts
1/2 pound uncooked bacon (not thick cut)
1/2 cup dark brown sugar 
toothpicks

DIRECTIONS;

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Drain the water chestnuts.  Slice each piece of bacon in half crosswise.

2. Wrap each water chestnut in the cut bacon pieces and secure with a toothpick.  Coat each piece with brown sugar.  Place each piece in a baking dish. Leave room between each piece.

3. Bake uncovered, on middle rack, for about 25 minutes or until sugar has melted and bacon is well browned. See photo.



Blot on paper towels and serve warm
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EASY PULLED PORK SANDWICHES
EASY PULLED PORK SANDWICHES
 Ingredients 
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
4-5 pounds boneless pork shoulder
1 1/2 cups cider vinegar

1/2 cup water
4 large cloves garlic, minced
6-8 sandwich rolls or Kaiser rolls
barbecue sauce, for serving, a must! 

DIRECTIONS;

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place one oven rack in the lowest position and one in the highest position.

2. In a small bowl, combine sugar, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

3, Place pork in a 5-quart Dutch oven or very large, deep, Pyrex baking pan and rub with spice mixture.

4. In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, garlic, and 1/2 cup water.  Pour over pork.

5, Cover pot or baking pan tightly with tin foil and place in oven on lower rack. Bake until pork is very tender and separates easily when pulled with a fork. I always bake it for 3 hours.

6. Transfer pork to a work surface, reserving pan juices. With two forks, shred meat. Discard excess chunks of fat. Transfer shredded pork to a large bowl, and toss with pan juices to moisten (you may not need all the juices).

7. Pile pork on rolls, and top with barbecue sauce. I always use Sweet Baby Ray's brand BBQ sauce.

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MEXICAN STUFFED MEATBALLS
MEXICAN STUFFED MEATBALLS
INGREDIENTS; 
2 lb lean ground beef
 2 c crumbled corn bread
 1/2 tsp kosher salt
 3/4 tsp cumin
 1/4 c finely chopped onions
 2 lg cloves garlic-minced
 16 oz mild salsa-divide in half
1/4 c mild taco sauce-divide in half
 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper-divide in half
 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp chili powder
 4 oz can mild chopped green chilies
 2-8oz. pkg jalapeno jack cheese-cut into 60 small cubes
*note...instead of using cheese cubes you can shred 8oz. of the cheese and just sprinkle it on top of the meatballs during baking

DIRECTIONS;
In a large bowl combine corn bread crumbs, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, chili powder, green chilies and 1/2 the salsa, 1/2 the taco sauce and 1/2 the cayenne pepper,
Add ground beef and mix well.
Shape into 1 inch little meatballs and form the meatballs around each cheese cube. Make sure none of the cheese is exposed.
Place in baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered for about 15 minutes.
 Meanwhile in a small saucepan heat the tomato sauce and the remaining salsa, taco sauce and cayenne pepper. Heat til simmering then pour over cooked meatballs and bake for another 10 minutes.
To serve, stick one toothpick into each meatball, pour sauce from baking dish on top. And serve warm.
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CHICKEN CHILI
CHICKEN CHILI
Ingredients;
1 1/2 lb chicken cutlets-cut into small pieces
 1 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
 1 lg onion-chopped
 8 oz pkg. sharp cheddar cheese-shredded
 1-14oz. can(s) low sodium chicken broth
 1-4oz. can(s) green chilies-chopped
1-19oz. can(s) cannellini beans-undrained
 1 bx yellow rice-prepared according to pkg.
 ~~~spice blend~~~
 1 tsp garlic powder
 1 tsp ground cumin
 1 Tbsp chili powder
 1/2 tsp dried oregano
 1/2 tsp cilantro, dried
 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions;
Heat oil in very large saucepan over med.-high heat.

Add chicken and onions - cook for 5-10 min.

Stir in all dry spices - cook for 2 min.

Stir in broth and green chilies - simmer for 30 min.

Stir in beans - simmer for 10 min.

Mix in cheddar cheese and prepared yellow rice.

Serve warm.






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