Pasta Pizza

This is one of the fastest and easiest meals you can make and be creative!

For this one, I did small cheese ravioli.. but you can do any kind of pasta.

Cook the pasta "al dente". Drain and set aside. In a sauce pan, simmer pasta sauce..any kind you like..marinara, whatever! and add: italian seasoning, 1 triangle laughing cow swiss cheese spread (I use this alot), a few tbsps of heavy whipping cream and alfredo sauce.

Add pasta to pan and pour sauce over it. Then add shredded mozzerella cheese on top. Then.. add your ingredients..whatever you like on your "pizza". I added: cherry tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni. Then I sprinkled the top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

So Excited!

I was so excited when Andrea sent me the email about this blog! I LOVE to cook. I love that i get new ideas because I hate feeling like I get stuck in a rut. So here are a couple from me! I am so excited to try everyone elses!

Rachel

Potatoes that Taste better Than the Chicken!

This is a great Sunday Dinner Meal! If your hubby is a meat and potatoes kind of guy this is a pleaser for sure!

Potatoes that Taste Better than the Chicken

*12 Tbsp. Butter

*12 tbsp. oil

*4 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces. (Yukon gold are recommended but I can never find them)

*1 whole 5-6lb chicken, wings removed (I never remove them because some people like the dark meat and I feel it keeps it moister)

8 tsp rosemary

8 tsp thyme

10 tsp minced garlic

1. pre heat oven to 450

2. Butter a medium roasting pan with 6 tbsp. butter and 6 tbsp oil. Place potatoes in a single layer in roasting pan. (mine always takes more room) Season Chicken inside and out with salt and pepper. Place Rosemary, Thyme, and garlic inside cavity of chicken. Using kitchen twine ( or kite string in my case!) tie legs together to enclose. Rub chicken with remaining oil and butter. Place chicken on top of potatoes.

3. Transfer roasting pan to oven and roast for 40 minutes. Turn Chicken onto its other side and continue roasting another 40 minutes. Add 4 Tbsp water to pan, continue roasting until juices run clear and the internal temp reaches 165 degrees, 20 -40 min more. ( I NEVER have rotated my bird. I would rather have just the bottom be a little soggy than chance 2 sides being that way. I just cook for the 80 min. and then add water and cook more. I would plan on a little extra time just in case. The first time the oven I used took longer.)

Pineapple Chicken

5-6 Chicken Breast
Wheat Hamburger Buns
1 Fresh Pineapple
1 Bottle Lawry's Teriyaki with pineapple juice (by the bbq sauce in store)

Marinate Chicken in Ziploc with Marinade all day.
Grill
Serve on Wheat bun with slice of Fresh Pineapple

Lettuce Wraps with Thai Peanut Sauce!

These are soooo good! I think they rival pei wei or PF Changs. If your kiddos LOVE peanut butter they will like this. Gav wasn't sure until I told him it had peanut butter dip. This is one of his favorites!

*4-6 Chicken Breast Minced ( I just dice in small pieces. ** It is easier to cut chicken when still a little frozen. I set it out and wait and hour and then chop. Then make sure it has enough time to thaw all the way)

*¾ Red Onion, chopped finely

*4 cups Shredded Green Cabbage ( I just buy the bag already chopped)

* 2 cups shredded Carrots ( I buy already shredded bags at the store)

*2tbsp minced or powdered Ginger

*8 tsp minced Garlic

Soy Sauce

Lettuce Cups, washed and chilled ( Cut Iceberg head in half and piece cups apart. I do it while they are a little wet and put in zip locks with paper towels)

Cooked Rice, 2 cups

Saute Onion in hot oil until tender. Add chicken and saute until no longer pink. Add rest of the ingredients except soy sauce and saute about 2-3 min. until tender. Sprinkle with soy sauce as desired for flavor. ( I just make sure it changes the color of the chicken. Not to much some people don’t like soy)

Don’t let the cabbage get soggy!

Peanut Sauce~ I make this first and set out

* ¼ C. Creamy Peanut Butter

*1 Cup Sugar

* 3 Tbsp soy sauce

* 4-6 tsp minced Garlic~ I add 6 I like Garlic

* 3 Tbsp water

* 2 Tbsp oil

*** for a little kick I set out Thai Chili paste and put it on top to the peanut sauce in my wrap***

spoon mixture into lettuce cup and spoon a little sauce on top. Fold up and eat! I love with peanut sauce a little soy and a little Thai chili paste! But create your own.

Peruvian Alfajores

AlfajoresCookies:

1-1/2 cups unsalted butter

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup ground almonds

3 cups flour

Manjar Blanco Filling:

5 cups whole milk

1-1/8 cups sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Prepare the Manjar Blanco filling. Put the milk, sugar and vanilla in a medium saucepan and let it come to a boil. Continue to boil the mixture, stirring occasionally, until thickened, approximately 45 minutes. The Manjar is ready if you put a bit on a plate and it does not run.

2. Cream butter with confectioners' sugar until fluffy.

3. Stir in remaining ingredients.

4. Wrap and chill 30 minutes (if you leave it longer, just let it warm up to the point of being able to be rolled out).

5. Roll dough out to 1/4" thickness. Cut in 2 1/2" circles and place on parchment lined cookie sheet. They won’t expand much, so you can place them pretty close together.

6. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes.

7. Cool cookie sheets between batches and cool cookies on wire rack.

8. When cookies have completely cooled, carefully spread some manjar blanco on one cookie and top with another cookie. Other alternatives to fillings: chocolate nutella.. yum, also dulce de leite (you can buy in a can.. or you can put a can of sweetened condensed milk in a pan full of water and boil for 3 hrs) I added the manjar blanco with a little of the dulce de leite.. super yum!

9. Dust tops with confectioners' sugar and enjoy immediately.

Thanks to Laura for introducing me to these yummy Peruvian cookies!

chocolate cake truffle

Ok these are delish and super easy..

thank you Cari for introducing these to me!

we had these at Bunco and they were a hit.. everyone loved them

start with a box of chocolate cake..or any kind and follow recipe on the box..or if you like homemade cake..then do that.

once the cake is done, put in a bowl and mix with 1 package of cream cheese and form into balls

melt a bag of baking chocolate and dip balls into melted chocolate.. cool on wax paper

melt some white baking chocolate and put in ziploc bag, cut a small hole in the corner and drizzle the top

presto, you have yourself a yummy truffle

Ok, I'm beginning to think nobody is into these recipes.. so if you are by any chance .. let me know.. or if you're not, then make a comment of something you want to learn to make and I will do it.. thanks!

Fruit Arrangement

This was inspired by fruit arrangements..which costs about $75-$90!

so I figure.. I will do one for free..this one I did for a friend's baby shower

I started out with a small round watermelon. use a melon baller and scoop out balls and put in a bowl until the watermelon half is empty.. then scrape out excess watermelon scraps and save. turn the empty watermelon upside down and put on cake platter. cut melon balls in half.

line the watermelon half with strawberries around the edge. with a flower cookie cutter, cut out flowers in a pineapple, save.

starting from the bottom of the watermelon half, using skewers cut in half putting the sharp end into the watermelon, use grapes as stem and add strawberries. then, on another stem, adding grapes, then your pineapple flower and watermelon ball half.

for one of the stems I did grapes and then manderin oranges for the top!

be creative and use different colorful fruits! this is great for occasions and get togethers, so people can just pull out a skewer and eat the fruit!

Poppy Seed Spinach Salad

This spinach salad recipe is the best I've come by and everyone loves it!

(this recipe is thanks to a girl named Tara)

Poppy Seed Dressing:

• 1c olive oil
• 2/3c apple cider vinegar
• 1tsp salt
• 3/4c sugar
• 2tsp poppy seed

*blend ingredients in blender/hand mixer for about 3 minutes..add poppy seed last and pulse in.

Salad

• 1 bag spinach
• 1/2 red onion
• feta cheese
• 1-2 avacados
• red or yellow grape tomatoes
• carmelized slivered almonds:

add about 1 1/2 c almonds to 1c sugar and roast on pan on med heat on the stove until sugar carmelizes. stir frequently then place on wax paper to cool. one cool, break up and add to salad!

add desired amount of dressing to prepared salad and you will be in heaven :)

Fruit Salad

This fruit salad is super easy and quick..nothing to it!

just gather whatever fruits you like:

in my case, what fruits you had in the fridge at the time..

2 mangos

1 carton strawberries

1 carton blueberries

grapes

2 gala apples, peeled

1/2 can pineapple chunks

1 tbsp honey

1-2 tbsp sugar

1-2 tbsp lime juice

1-2 tbsp pineapple juice

cut all fruit into small pieces (except blueberries) and put in a bowl. add honey, sugar, lime juice and pineapple juice

serve with whip cream or cool whip!

Strawberry Cheesecake

This was the first time I've made this and I made it for my brother's birthday..it turned out great..and it's less fat..you can't even tell!

1/2 c plain graham crackers

1/2 c vanilla wafers

1 1/2 tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tbsp butter or margarine

2 1/2 (8oz) pkgs fat free cream cheese

1/2 c sugar

1 1/2 tbsp flour

1/2 tbsp vanilla

1/2 c 1/3 less fat sour cream

2 eggs

handful of strawberries

Preheat oven to 325. line circle pan with foil wrapping over the sides. blend graham crackers and vanilla wafers into crumbs. put crumbs in a bowl with 3 tbsp sugar and butter (softened), mix. press into pan evenly to desired thickness..there will be leftovers (you don't want the crust to be too thick). bake 10 min.

beat cream cheese, 1/2 c sugar, flour, vanilla on medium speed. add sour cream and eggs on low speed. pour over crust evenly.

heat strawberries with about 1 tbsp of sugar, until soft, about 1 minute. blend until pureed.

drizzle puree in lines and cut through with a knife to make marble effect..or whatever design you want..I did a 25 for my brother for his birthday..it was fun

bake @ 325 for about 40-45 minutes

cool in same pan, cover with plastic wrap..for at least 4 hours..preferably overnight.

serve with remaining strawberry puree and/or fresh strawberries and whip cream!

Salsa

This salsa recipe I have tweaked here and there and have finally come up with the perfect combination.. at least to my liking!

Ingredients:

about 5 Roma tomatoes

1/2 can petite diced tomatoes (with the juice)

1/2 white onion

1/2 green onion

1 tbsp garlic salt

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp lime juice

(depending on spiciness):

1/4-1/2 jalapeno pepper

1/4 Anaheim chili pepper

1/2-3/4 bunch of cilantro

dice tomatoes and onions into tiny pieces. add 1/2 can of petite diced tomatoes along with the juice. add garlic salt, sugar, and lime juice..taste..if too strong, add more tomatoes from the can & juice. dice peppers into tiny pieces, add little by little..taste..then add more according to liking!

really it's that simple..although the cutting takes some time, but well worth it! I don't make any other salsa :) also.. sometimes I add a tiny bit of chopped fresh parsley..or even dried parsley!

hope you like it..

Please let me know if you try any of my recipes.. and tell me what you think or if you have any questions :)

Pork Chow Mein

Ingredients

• pork
• chow mein noodles
• cornstarch
• baking powder
• flour
• eggs
• salt & pepper
• sesame oil
• soy sauce
• oyster flavor sauce
• black vinegar
• garlic teriyaki sauce
• honey
• veggies: carrots, cabbage, edemame, broccoli
  

Batter:

about 1/4 c cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 eggs.. (then add flour and water ..if needed..to make a good consistency.. not too runny, but not too thick) add a pinch of seasoning salt, salt & pepper.

dip pork in flour or cornstarch and then add to batter; coat evenly

add oil to pan and fry until lightly golden brown on both sides, with lid on..on med-high heat.

drain in a metal strainer (don't use paper towel)

Sauce:

add garlic teriyaki sauce and equal parts of: sesame oil, oyster flavor sauce, black vinegar, honey, & amount of 1/2 soy sauce

add fried pork to sauce and simmer on med-low heat covered

add oil to deep pan or wok, then add cooked noodles, sliced carrots, edemame, broccoli, and cut up cabbage.

with a strainer spoon add pork to noodles and sprinkle black sesame seed on top.. and voila!

(I made this recipe tonight as an experiment .. so you may have to play with it a little..enjoy!)

sorry the image isn't the best.. I didn't think to take a picture until I put the leftovers in a container!

Orzo Pesto Salad

This dish is a wonderful appetizer and/or side dish..great for occassions!

• 1 bag of orzo pasta about 1/2 jar classico pesto sauce/spread (more or less to your liking)
• olive oil
• apple cider vinegar
• red onion, green onion, parsley, cilantro
• feta cheese crumbles
  

chop the onions and fresh herbs, set aside. Cook the bag of orzo pasta with italian seasoning in the water..until al dente. drain and rinse in cold water. add the pesto sauce and mix.. start adding about 1:2 ratio of the olive oil and vinegar (1 being the vinegar and 2 the oil)..start with about a tablespoon and go from there to acheive the consistency and acidity you prefer. add the onions and herbs and mix in feta cheese crumbles

*store in fridge the night before a party and the flavors kick in even more! just make sure you check consistency to see if you need to add any more oil & vinegar.

(again I appologize I don't have exact measurements.. I invented this recipe just last week for Easter and wanted to see if everyone liked it before I wrote it down as a recipe)

Chicken Nuggets with Sweet & Sour sauce

cut up chicken breast pieces to desired size and make sure all are similar in size and make sure they're no thicker than 1/2 in thick.

another option is: cube chicken and place in food processor and blend into a paste. form into balls and flatten into nugget pieces.

season chicken pieces with: season salt, salt, parsley, onion powder, and pepper

mix 2 eggs to about 1/2 c milk..set aside

mix about 1c flour, 1/4c finely grated parmesan cheese, 1tsp paprika, oregano, and dry mustard, salt and pepper..set aside

heat hoil to at least 350 degrees

place chicken nugget pieces in flour mixture, coat evenly, then egg/milk mixture, and flour mixture again. Place on wax paper

when oil is nice and hot, place about 3-4 pieces in oil and fry for a few minutes until golden brown, turning the pieces occasionally.

drain on newspaper or paper towel.

(you can freeze leftovers and bake them at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or so)

Sweet and Sour sauce:

1 c apricot preserves

3 tbsp heinz 57 sauce

3 tbsp italian dressing

3 tbsp soy sauce

combine and serve!

I served with Spinach Salad

Best Punch Ever!!

White Grape/Orange Punch

2 c water

2 c sugar

32 oz white grape juice

1 c orange juice (no pulp)

ginger ale to taste

tiny bit of pineapple juice to taste

This punch is great for showers, parties, etc..

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

Hey everyone, I posted this on my personal blog because I am highlighting "baking with pumpkin" right now, but here is a fun recipe for everyone! They are super yummy and really easy!

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup pumpkin

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 bag choc. chips ( I prefer Gheradilli's but any will do. They are on sale at Walmart for $2/bag right now!)

Combine ingredients and bake at 350 for 12-15 min and enjoy! I like them 10-12 minutes so they are a little gewey in the center!

Soup Season

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

I'm excited that soup season has begun. I like a good soup every now and then. This is one I came up with this week and if it's a success, I post it..again, a lot of it is taste and add, so make sure you start on the blander side and go from there. (sorry the picture quality isn't wonderful..it was taken via blackberry) Also, bear with me, this is the first time I made this, so it should get better each time..depending on what I add or take out.

Cut and cook 1 cauliflower head:

add: dash of taragon, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, 1:1 water & chicken broth

opt: cook chopped onions (about 2 tbsp) in about 1-2 tbsp olive oil

Once cauliflower is cooked thoroughly, drain and put in a blender. Add 1 1/2 c chicken broth, 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Grate 1-2 c white cheddar cheese and 1/2 c mozzarella cheese

Put creamy cauliflower in a pan and cook on medium heat. Add cheeses, 1 "laughing cow" soft swiss cheese triangle (opt), dash of white pepper, and about 2-4 tbsp of heavy whipping cream.

Simmer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. garnish with garlic asparagus and french bread!

Asparagus: you can either cook on stove or oven: 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes or on medium heat covered for 5-10 minutes. Add butter, garlic, onion, salt and pepper.

Chocolate Banana Muffins

1/2 cup butter, softened1 cup sugar2 eggs1 1/2 cups flour3 Tbs. cocoa1 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. cinnamon1 tsp. vanilla1 cup mashed banana1/2 cup sour cream1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts1 cup chocolate chips

*Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add vanilla, banana, sour cream, nuts and chocolate chips. Pour into muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

props to Rachel Cunningham for this recipe :)

Bolinhos

This is a common appetizer or side dish in Brasil. Very easy to make!

First, you make some mashed potatoes. I assume everyone can make mashed potatoes, but if not..here you go :

cut and peel potatoes and boil. I use a masher I got from Brasil, but you can mash them however you please. I like to mash them so they are fine and creamy. Add milk, sour cream, and garlic salt...mix. Let cool.

Dough:

mix cooled mashed potatoes with flour until you get a dough like consistency. Roll into long strips, that looks like a long snake. cut into 1/2in to 1 in balls..add a little more flour to coat the balls. Heat oil in a fryer. Add a few balls and wait until golden brown, add parmesan cheese and COMER BEM!