Thick Sugar Cookies with Sour Cream

We made a ton of cookies this year for Christmas. I found this recipe for sugar cookies on pinterest. Anything with sour cream is yummy, right? These definitely were good. They were thick and soft. Mike hates sugar cookies and I have caught him eating them all week.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
5 1/2 cups flour

In mixer, cream butter and sugar, and then add eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream. Combine salt, soda, and flour, and add to mixture.

Roll out on floured surface to about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick

Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes.
THEY WILL NOT LOOK DONE!

hey are still very pale and have no browning anywhere. If you have a golden brown color along the edges then you have baked them too long.

Wait about 5 minutes and then transfer carefully to a cooling rack. If you wait longer they will get soggy on the bottom and sometimes get stuck to the parchment paper.

Here is the simple buttercream frosting I use:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4-1/3 cup milk
In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Beat in sugar and vanilla until crumbly. Gradually add milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Add desired food coloring.

recipe from: peppermintplum.blogspot.com

Oven Baked Parmesan Fries

These are delicious. Make them and don't feel guilty. I even got my little guy to eat them. Just be careful if you let you kids help. Mine dumped the entire bottle of thyme on them!


Ingredients
4 large unpeeled russet potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt (optional)
Directions
1.Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2.Place the potatoes in a mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Season with garlic, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt. Toss until evenly coated. Lift the fries out of the bowl and spread onto a nonstick baking sheet in a single layer. Save the remaining oil in the bowl.
3.Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through baking. Return the fries to the bowl with the olive oil, sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and parsley. Toss to coat, then spread again onto the baking sheet. Return to the oven, and bake until the Parmesan cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the fries with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt to serve.

Recipe from Allrecipes.com

Baked Chicken Parm Casserole

I love chicken parm and order it at most Italian restaurants. This is a nice quick casserole version that we enjoyed. Much less work but still yummy!

Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
hot red pepper flakes, to taste
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I cut mine into pieces)
2 cups marinara sauce
1/4 cup chopped basil
8 oz mozzarella, shredded
4 oz Parmesan, grated
1 (5-oz) package garlic croutons

Spread olive oil and garlic in your baking dish. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes. Place chicken in dish. Cover in sauce. Sprinkle with basil. Cover with 1/2 of cheeses. Pour croutons on top and cover with the rest of the cheese. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes.

Recipe from: http://foodwishes.blogspot.com

Brown Sugar Apple Sauce Bake

We love this applesauce. It is almost like a dessert. It is my favorite part of the meal. I made it for my in laws and they gobbled it up. My mom found this recipe in a gooseberry patch book.

25 oz jar of applesauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup bisquick
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter softened

In medium bowl mix first 3 ingredients.

Spray casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour applesauce in.

In a bowl mix last 3 ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle over applesauce.

Bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350

Chicken Tamale Casserole

Here is a different casserole. I stumbled upon this recipe by accident. I don't really like red enchilada sauce. I tried to make my own from a food network recipe but I still didn't care for it. But in this casserole it is oi ok. I actually enjoyed it. I think the sweetness of the cornbread balances it out for me. By the way Krusteaz (gross name I know) is the best boxed cornbread ever.

Mike really enjoyed this. Hayden wouldn't even touch it. He is a very picky kid. I think this would be good with some tortilla chips crushed on top.


Recipe:

1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup freshly shredded Pepper Jack cheese
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8.5-ounce) bo corn muffin mix
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles
Cooking Spray
1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees f.

Combine 1/2 cup cheese and the next 7 ingredients (through chiles) in a large bowl, stirring just until moist. Pour mixture into a 13×9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Bake for 15 minutes or until set. Pierce entire surface liberally with a fork; pour enchilada sauce over top. Top with chicken; sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the cheese melts. Remove from oven; let stand for 5 minutes.

recipe from: http://deliciousdishesrecipes.com/chicken-tamale-casserole/

Chinese Lemon Chicken

I have never had Lemon Chicken at a Chinese Restaraunt. It always intrigues me but then I play it safe and order general tso's, almond chicken or sesame chicken. I am boring.

We really enjoyed the chicken. The batter and marinade was very good. The lemon sauce was pretty good. I have nothing to compare it to. I want to make this again with a spicy sauce.



Ingredients

* 4 chicken breasts (cut in small pieces)
* 1 tablespoon dry sherry
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 eggs
* 2 cups vegetable oil
* 1/4 cup cornstarch
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/3 cup white sugar
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 lemon, sliced
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a large bowl combine the chicken, sherry, soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix together, cover and refrigerate. Let marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, 1/4 cup cornstarch and baking powder to form a batter. In a wok, heat 2 cups oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat chicken with batter and fry in wok until browned. Cut into bite size pieces and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl combine the sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, broth, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix together and add lemon slices. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in wok and slowly stir in lemon sauce mixture. Cook, stirring, until sauce is clear. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.

From allrecipes.com

Parmesan Chicken

Here is a quick simple recipe.
This was one of my favorite things my mom made when I was in high school. She got the idea from a miracle whip jar but we use Hellmann's instead. I don't have a great picture of it but everyone we have made it for enjoys it. The chicken ends up so moist and full of flavor.

Here is the basic recipe:

mix together some mayo, Parmesan cheese, and oregano.

Spread over chicken breasts.

Bake 350 for about 30-40 minutes until chicken is done.

Chicken Stuffing in the Crockpot

I made homemade stuffing for the first time last week. It turned out pretty good. I love using the crockpot... esp during soccer season when I am so busy.
Ingredients:
5 skinless, boneless chicken breast
halves
1 (9x9 inch) pan cornbread, cooled and
crumbled
8 slices day-old bread, torn into small
pieces
4 eggs, beaten
1 onion, chopped

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried sage
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream
of chicken soup
2 tablespoons margarine
Directions:
1. Place chicken in a pot with water to cover, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil 20 minutes, or until cooked through. Cool, and cut into pieces.
2. In a slow cooker, stir together chicken, cornbread, bread, eggs, onion, salt, pepper, sage, chicken broth, and chicken soup. Stir until well blended. Dot with margarine.
3. Cover, and cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours. Remove lid, and fluff with fork. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.

recipe from allrecipes.com

Fudge Puddles

I made these last week and they were a big hit. They were gone so fast. Usually I freeze some cookies for later, but I had none left. Make these!

Fudge Puddles
For the cookie shell:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1-1/4 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt

For the fudge filling:
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips
1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 t. vanilla
chopped nuts or sprinkles(optional)


1. In a large mixer bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, and both sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla.

2. Next, in a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add flour mix. to the creamy mixture.

3. Chill in the fridge for at least one hour (or if you're impatient like me, in the freezer for about 15 minutes). Remove from fridge and form into 1" balls. Grease a mini-muffin pan and add 1 ball to each muffin cup.

4 .Bake in a 325 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until very lightly browned. Remove from oven and make an indentation in the center of each ball.

5.Let them cool in the pan for at least 5 minutes and then move to a cooling rack. Once all of the cookies are done baking, it's time to make the fudge filling.

6. In a microwave safe bowl or saucepan, combine all of the ingredients except the nuts/sprinkles. Microwave for 1 minutes. Stir well. If there are still unmelted chips, continue to melt in microwave for 15 second increments until all smooth. Immediately start filling the cookie cups with the filling. It will start to harden just a bit as you do it, so make sure to give it a good stir once in awhile. Sprinkle with the nuts or just leave plain. Let set for an hour or so.

recipe from sundaybaker.net

Sloppy Joes

Mike does not like sloppy joes too much. I had a ton of beef and didn't want tacos or hamburgers so I thought I would try this recipe out. I read about it on a message board. Verdict Mike liked them so they must be good. Maybe next time I will try them with ground turkey.

Rachel Ray Sloppy Joes
Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
* 1 1/4 pounds ground beef sirloin
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon steak seasoning blend, such as McCormick brand Montreal Seasoning
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
* 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 2 cups tomato sauce
* 2 tablespoons tomato paste
* 4 crusty rolls, split, toasted, and lightly buttered
* Garnish: sliced ripe tomatoes, pickles, Deviled Potato Salad, recipe follows

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and meat to the pan. Spread the meat around the pan and begin to break it up. Combine brown sugar and steak seasoning. Add sugar and spice mixture to the skillet and combine. When the meat has browned, add onion and red peppers to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and cook onions, peppers, red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce with meat for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and paste to pan. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to simmer and cook Sloppy Joe mixture 5 minutes

Lofthouse Cookie Clone Recipe

I have seen the recipe for these cookies on a bunch of blogs now so I thought I would try them out. Everyone seems to enjoy these cookies from the store. The husband liked these and he doesn't like sugar cookies. They are super soft and tasty. Mine really flattened even though I kept the dough chilled. So they didn't look like lofthouse cookies. And the icing wasn't really the same but still good. Mine was like a thick glaze which I actually prefer. I will definitely make these again.


Yield: about 2 dozen large cookies
Ingredients:
For the cookies:
4½ cups all-purpose flour
4½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
1½ cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
3 large eggs
5 tsp. vanilla extract

For the frosting:
5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/3 cup (5 1/3 tbsp.) unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
7-8 tbsp. milk (plus more, as needed)

Directions:
To make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt, and whisk together to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat together on medium-high speed until soft and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as needed. Blend in the vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients mixing just until incorporated and evenly mixed. Cover and chill the dough for 1 hour.

When you are ready to bake the cookies, scoop a scant quarter cup of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten the ball slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the cookies at least 2-3 inches apart. Bake about 10-12 minutes or just until set. (Do not overbake! The edges should be no more than very lightly browned if at all.) Let cool on the baking sheet for several minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To frost the cookies, place the confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter, vanilla, and milk to the bowl and whisk until smooth. Whisk in additional milk as necessary, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Tint with food coloring if desired. Use an offset spatula or spoon to frost the cooled cookies. (If the frosting begins to thicken as you decorate, just continue to whisk in small amounts of milk to keep it workable.) Top with sprinkles if desired. Store in an airtight container.

Pasta Carbonara

I have found myself watching Diners Drive Ins and Dives on the food network. I watch it a lot but never watch the hosts actual cooking show. It just never really appeals to me. I did catch it the other day and saw him make this pasta recipe. So we tried it out. It was a nice easy recipe and lighter then the pasta carbonara at restaurants.

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups 1/4-inch diced pancetta
* 5 organic large eggs
* 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
* 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1 pound bucatini
* 1 cup frozen peas
* 1 tablespoon kosher salt
* 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley, for garnish

Directions

In a medium saute pan over medium heat, cook the pancetta until tender-crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Reserve the pan with the drippings.

Separate 4 of the eggs and set the yolks aside. Discard the 4 whites. Crack the fifth egg and add it to the yolks.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 2/3 of the pancetta, the Parmigiano-Reggiano, black pepper and cayenne.

Cook the pasta until al dente. Add the peas when the pasta is just about finished and strain both into the reserved pancetta drippings. Reserve about 3/4 cup pasta water to fortify the sauce.

Add the egg mixture into the pasta and toss well with tongs for about 1 minute. Add the reserved pasta water to the bowl in 1/4 cup increments, combining and adding until desired sauce consistency is reached. Add the parsley and gently combine and place into a serving dish.

Garnish with the reserved pancetta.

Salad Dressing

We got this quick dressing recipe from Mike's family friend the Darbous family. She got it from one of her daughters (not sure which one to give credit to).

3 tbsp lemon juice
3 cloves garlic crushed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3/4 veg oil.

It is better if it is mixed the night before. We put it on simple salads. It is Mike's favorite dressing right now.

Pancakes

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all dry ingredients in bowl
Mix all "wet" ingredients in seperate bowl
Combine.

Heat griddle med/low
Cook on the first side until bubbles begin to form, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip pancake over cook 2-3 more min until done

Peanut Butter Sheetcake

If you like peanut butter at all you need to make this. I actually don't each much peanut butter...but if it is in a dessert I love it. This is so yummy. It is just like chocolate sheet cake but peanut butter. Next time I may mix it up and do chocolate cake with the peanut butter icing. Or peanut butter cake with chocolate icing. But it is great just all peanut butter too. Here is the recipe:

* 2 cups sugar
* 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
* 2 cups Flour
* 1 teaspoon Salt
* 2 sticks Butter
* 1 cup Water
* 1 cup Peanut Butter
* ½ cups Milk
* 1 teaspoon Vanilla
* 2 whole Eggs
* 1 stick Butter
* ½ cups Peanut Butter
* 6 teaspoons Milk
* 1 pound Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together sugar, baking soda, flour and salt. Set aside.

Combine butter, water and peanut butter in saucepan and bring to boil. Pour over flour mixture.

Add milk, vanilla and eggs. Mix.

Pour in large cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. Bake at 400F degrees for 20 minutes.

Frosting:

Bring butter, peanut butter and milk to boil in saucepan. Add one pound of powdered sugar. Pour warmed frosting over cooled cake.



http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/desserts/peanut-butter-sheet-cake/

Pizza Sauce

No more jars of sauce for us. This is what we use now...
ngredients

* 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
* 6 fluid ounces warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 teaspoon minced garlic
* 2 tablespoons honey
* 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
* 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
* 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
* salt to taste

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.
2. Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.

Recipe from : http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Exquisite-Pizza-Sauce/Detail.aspx

Lemon Cream Chicken Pasta

Got this from all recipes. It was very good. I might add a bit more lemon to to the sauce, but I wasn't using fresh lemon juice so that may be why it needed it. I added freshly grated parm cheese.

Ingredients

* 3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
* 1 lemon, quartered
* 2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
* 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
* 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
* 1 (8 ounce) package rotelle pasta
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place chicken in a lightly greased baking dish. Squeeze lemon over both sides of the chicken breasts and season both sides using 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Bake for 40 minutes, or until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink inside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, season the chicken broth with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil and add lemon juice and pasta. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
3. Cut cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and stir into cooked pasta, along with the cream and lemon zest. Cook, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Stir thoroughly before serving.



http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lemon-Cream-Pasta-with-Chicken/Detail.aspx?prop31=8

grilled lemon chicken

I made a quick and yummy grilled lemon chicken the other day. It is from Ina Garten on the food network. It is supposed to have a peanut dipping sauce but I burned that when I was tending to the baby. So instead we had it on a spinach salad mix and I made a quick asian vinagerette to top it. It was delicious. I am posting the chicken and dipping sauce recipe but can't review the sauce. I am also posting the dressing at the bottom.

Grilled Lemon chicken
Ingredients

* 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
* 3/4 cup good olive oil
* 2 teaspoons kosher salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, halved and skin removed
* Satay Dip, recipe follows

Directions

Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme. Pour over the chicken breasts in a nonreactive bowl. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight.

Heat a charcoal grill. Grill the chicken breasts for 10 minutes on each side, until just cooked through. Cool slightly and cut diagonally in 1/2-inch-thick slices. Skewer with wooden sticks and serve with Satay Dip.

Satay Dip:

1 tablespoon good olive oil

1 tablespoon dark sesame oil

2/3 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)

1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)

1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons good red wine vinegar

1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons dry sherry

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Cook the olive oil, sesame oil, red onion, garlic, ginger root, and red pepper flakes in a small, heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat until the onion is transparent, 10 to 15 minutes. Whisk in the vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, peanut butter, ketchup, sherry, and lime juice; cook for 1 more minute. Cool and use as a dip for Grilled Lemon Chicken skewers.

Asian Vinaigrette

2 Tablespoons peanut or olive oil
2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)

Whisk all ingredients together.

Pierogi Casserole

I never realized that Pierogi were more of a local food to our area. I have always liked them. When i was younger I once ate 17 of them. I had a high metabolism...

Churches will sell homemade ones... espcially now since it is Lent. I have great intentions of making homemade pierogis. They are a lot of work and having a 2 year old wouldn't really make that possible. Until then this is as close as i will get to homemade. Or we will still enjoy Mrs. T's (Hayden likes them better).

Pierogi Casserole

serves 4-6

8 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into fours

1 medium onion, chopped

8 ounces of cheese, cubed or shredded (Velveeta will work best, second best is hand-grated cheddar)

1/2 pound pasta (farfalle or lasagna noodles)

1 1/2 sticks of butter

Preheat oven to 350.

Peel potatoes and chop into quarters. Set them in a large pot and cover with water, allowing it to come to a boil. Boil potatoes until tender, about 30 minutes. While potatoes are boiling, cook pasta according to directions, and once drained mix with two tablespoons of butter. Set aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt two tablespoons of butter and saute chopped onion until soft.

Drain potatoes and mash with one stick of butter and cheese. Make sure no lumps remain. Fold in onions.

Spread out pasta in a large baking dish and spread mashed potato mixture over top. If desired, top with more cheese and onions. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes

Recipe from http://www.howsweeteats.com

Breakfast Casserole

We eat this every Christmas morning. It is perfect for brunch, but we often just have it for dinner. I love that it can be made the night before. It is much easier then my plan to make homemade cinnamon rolls every Christmas (which I am going to do eventually). Besides Hayden will eat anything with breakfast sausage in it. He loves sausage. It is disgusting to watch him eat it.

Here is the recipe:


Ingredients

* 1 lb of Italian pork sausage, (then cooked, drained, crumbled)
* 4 1/2 cups cubed bread (we use good thick bread)
* 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
* 10 eggs slightly beaten
* 4 cups whole milk
* 1 tsp dry mustard
* 1 tsp salt
* 1/4 tsp onion powder
* Fresh ground pepper to taste

Place bread in a well buttered 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine the eggs, milk, dry mustard, onion powder and pepper. Pour evenly over the bread and cheese. Sprinkle sausage and optional ingredients over the top.

cover and chill overnight

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Bake uncovered for about one hour. (I top it with extra cheddar towards the end)

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

This was a nice quick recipe. I like quick and easy right now! Mike said the flavors were better the next day when he took it to work. Make sure you don't overcook the Gnocchi. They tend to get mushy easily.

Ingredients

* 6 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 2 carrots, thinly sliced
* 1 rib celery, thinly sliced
* 2 cups prepared potato gnocchi (about 11 ounces), thawed if frozen
* 2 cups frozen peas (8 ounces)
* 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, (about 1 large chicken breast)
* Freshly ground black pepper
* Hunk of good Parmesan

Directions

Put chicken broth, garlic, butter and sugar in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, bring it to a simmer, and cook, uncovered until the garlic is tender, about 2 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and continue to simmer until almost tender, 2 minutes. Bring to a full boil, stir in gnocchi and, cooking until the gnocchi are al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in frozen peas and chicken and turn off the heat. Season with salt —take into consideration that Parmesan cheese is salty, and a generous amount of pepper, to taste. Ladle the soup into warmed shallow bowls and shower each with freshly grated cheese.

Recipe from foodnetwork.com (paula dean)

Sweet Tooth

This pregnancy has left me wanting anything sweet... cookies, cake, you name it. Here are 2 recipes I have made to help with this: Monster Cookies and Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes

I have been making tons of cookies lately. Mike loves when we go to Amish Country and get their Monster cookies. So I found this recipe and he loved them. He ate like 6 the night I made them! When we get them in Ohio they have a powdered sugar type glaze, so next time i will try to add that to the top for him.

1 cup butter (2 sticks)
3 cups peanut butter
2 1/3 cups brown sugar
2 cups sugar
6 eggs
4 tsp baking soda
1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
1/2 Tbsp vanilla
9 cups quick oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars together. Add eggs, mixing well between each addition. Add vanilla, syrup, and baking soda. Add the oats one cup at a time, mixing well and scraping down the sides. Stir in chocolate chips. Use a large cookie scoop or large Tablespoon heaped. Bake at 350*F for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven when they still look soft.



We also made some cinnamon streusel pancakes. I found this recipe linked to a travel site I was looking at. Apparently these are from some place near Hollywood. We enjoyed them but they are huge. I only ate one. But very yummy. The site has some other recipes I want to try.



Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Streusel:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks

1. First, make the cinnamon streusel. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Mix together with your hands or a fork, until you have a crumbly mixture. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Do not over mix, batter will be slightly lumpy.

3. Heat a griddle or pan to medium low. Coat with cooking spray. Drop 1 cup of batter onto heated skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon streusel. Cook on the first side until bubbles begin to form, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip pancake over and cover very generously with cinnamon streusel. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Continue this process to make the rest of the pancakes.

4. Serve warm with maple syrup and butter.

Makes 6 very large pancakes

http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/cinnamon-streusel-pancakes/

Chicken Pot Pie

Another snowy day here. Chicken pot pie was a perfect choice. I got the recipe from the food network. It is Ina Garten's. I hate her show, every guest is soooo important and soooo successful. She just annoys me. But her recipes are great. This was a little time consuming, esp when you have to watch a 2 year old at the same time. But it is definitely worth it. Make this!

Ingredients

* 3 whole (6 split) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* Kosher salt
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 5 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
* 2 chicken bouillon cubes
* 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
* 2 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
* 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* 2 cups medium-diced carrots, blanched for 2 minutes
* 1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas (2 cups)
* 1 1/2 cups frozen small whole onions
* 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
*

For the pastry:

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
* 1/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
* 1/2 to 2/3 cup ice water
* 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
* Flaked sea salt and cracked black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You will have 4 to 6 cups of cubed chicken.

In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, carrots, peas, onions and parsley. Mix well.

For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Divide the filling equally among 4 ovenproof bowls. Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

From the foodnetwork.com

Super Bowl Menu...pepperoni dip

What is on your menu for the Super Bowl? We always have to have Buffalo Chicken Dip and my mom's swiss dip (which I need to post one day). We love dips. My mom is making the sausage and cheese dip that a lot of people make.

My sister is making tacos and these chicken tacos so everyone can just eat when they want.

I am taking Pepperoni dip. I got this recipe when I worked at Aetna (I so do not miss that job). A lady brought it in for a food day. It sounds so gross but is so yummy. Of course it is bad for you. What dip isn't?



I remember making this once and Kent Low eating almost the entire thing. Its addicting.

Recipe:
2 packages of cream cheese (softened)
1 small container of sour cream (around a cup or so)
one stick of pepperoni chopped small
french fried onions

Mix 1st 3 ingredients in casserole dish. Top with fried onions
Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.
Serve with buttery crackers or tortilla chips

More Soup...Meatball Soup

We are still is super bowl mode here, so another soup recipe it is! I made this recipe today. It has been bookmarked on my computer for weeks and I finally decided to just make it. It was good. I made a few changes. I made the meatballs the way I usually make them, not the way the recipe said (I made a huge batch and froze some for when baby arrives!)I also did not have cabbage since we don't eat it. So I made it without. I also added some extra potato chunks. Overall it was different and we enjoyed it.


Ingredients

* Meatballs:
* ¾ pounds Ground Beef
* ½ cups Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
* 3 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, Minced
* 1 whole Egg
* 2 cloves Garlic
* ½ teaspoons Salt
* ½ teaspoons Black Pepper
* ¼ teaspoons Ground Oregano
* 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
* SOUP
* 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
* 7 cups Low Sodium Beef Stock
* 2 cups Water
* ½ teaspoons Salt
* 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
* ¾ cups Onion, Chopped
* ¾ cups Carrots, Chopped
* ¾ cups Celery, Chopped
* 1 cup Russet Potato, Chopped (do Not Peel)
* ½ pounds Cabbage Chopped
* Grated Parmesan Cheese To Serve
* TIED IN A CHEESECLOTH BUNDLE
* 4 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, Minced
* 2 whole Bay Leaves
* 1 teaspoon Peppercorns

Preparation Instructions

To make meatballs, combine all meatball ingredients and mix well. Shape into small balls and chill for 30 minutes.

Gather 4 tablespoons parsley, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a cheesecloth bundle. Tie to secure.

After chilling, heat olive oil over medium-low heat in a heavy pot. Briefly brown meatballs, then remove to a plate. To pot, add beef stock, water, salt, tomato paste, and herb bag. Bring to a boil, then simmer 30 minutes.

Add onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Simmer 15 more minutes. Remove herb bag.

Add cabbage and meatballs. Bring to a boil, then simmer 8 to 10 minutes.

Serve with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top.


Recipe adapted from the pioneer woman cooks.

Souper Bowl???

I have made 2 different soups this week. Here is to hoping it helps the Steelers win and head to the Super Bowl... Not really. Its just nice to have soup when it is chilly out.

Earlier this week we had Sherried Tomato Soup. It was yummy with our grilled cheese sandwiches (made in the same sandwich maker I have had since college!)



Ingredients

* 6 Tablespoons Melted Butter
* 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
* 1 bottle (46 Oz.) Tomato Juice
* 2 cans (14 Oz. Cans) Diced Tomatoes
* 1 Tablespoon (up To 3 Tablespoons) Chicken Base
* 3 Tablespoons (up To 6 Tablespoons) Sugar
* 1 pinch Salt
* Black Pepper To Taste
* 1 cup Cooking Sherry
* 1-½ cup Heavy Cream
* Chopped Fresh Parsley
* Chopped Fresh Basil

Preparation Instructions

Sauté diced onions in butter until translucent. Then add canned tomatoes, tomato juice, chicken base, sugar, pinch of salt, black pepper and stir. Bring to a near boil, then turn off heat. Add in sherry and cream and stir. Add in parsley and basil to taste.

Recipe is from : here

Another day I was to lazy to make dinner so we picked up a rotesserie chicken from Costco. I made soup with the leftovers. I have a pretty good home made chicken soup recipe but this was a lot easier. I even made home made noodles to go in it.



Things You'll Need:

* Rotisserie chicken
* 2 qts. chicken broth
* 1 qt. water
* 2 tbsp. olive oil
* 2 white onions, cut into a medium dice
* 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into rounds
* 2 stalks celery, chopped
* 3 cups noodles
* Salt and pepper


Bring the broth and water to a simmer in the large stock pot. While you wait for the broth and water to heat up, separate the rotisserie chicken meat from the skin and bones, setting the meat aside for later. Add the skin (optional) and bones to the broth, bring it back up to a simmer and allow it to simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.

Strain the heated broth through the colander then discard the skin and bones. Reserve the broth in a large heat-safe bowl. Place the stock pot back on the burner, setting the heat to medium-high.

Add the oil, carrots, and celery and saute until soft. Add the broth and bring the mixture back up to a simmer.

Add the noodles, simmering until they reach the desired tenderness.

Chop the chicken and add it to the cooking noodles.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.


Homemade Noodles

2 cups of flour
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
4 tbsp milk

mix together and roll out. Cut into noodles. Let cook in broth for about 20 minutes.

No bake cookies

I never liked these growing up. Maybe it was the way they looked (I was/am a very picky eater). Maybe its b/c most of the time they had nuts (since most recipes call for chunky peanut butter). Who knows? But today I wanted them and they tasted yummy. I wanted cake the other day, made one and it was a bust. Very depressing, especially when you are pregnant and REALLY wanted it. So today it was a quick recipe to satisfy my chocolate craving. Here it is:

Ingredients

* 2 cups white sugar
* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/2 cup margarine (I used butter)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 pinch salt
* 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (I use regular/creamy peanut butter)
* 3 cups quick cooking oats

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, cocoa, milk and margarine. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, peanut butter and oats.
2. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow cookies to cool. Makes 24.