Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

This is so delicious and easy. I could eat the entire pie myself.

Oreo or graham cracker pie crust
8 oz. fat free or reg. cream cheese
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Cool Whip

Mix cream cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, pwd. sugar and vanilla until well blended and then gently fold in the Cool Whip (one half of a regular size tub). If you want to pretty it up, drizzle chocolate over the top. Cover and freeze 2-3 hours and then let sit for 10-15 min before eating.

If you're more ambitious than I, you can make your own crust by mixing graham crackers or Oreo crumbs with 2 tablespoons honey and a little butter. Then spread it out on a pie dish and bake 15-20 minutes until lightly browned.

Mom's Beef Stew

*1-2 lbs of Beef chunks
*1 Onion
*Can of beef broth
*Can of water
*7-8 carrots (diagonal sliced)
*5-6 potatoes (quartered)
*4-5 celery (diced)
*half a head of cauliflower (broken up)
*2 zuccini (sliced)

Dip beef chunks in a mixture of flour, garlic salt and Lawry's seasoning (be generous in the seasonings). Brown beef and diced onion in bottom of the stew pot with olive oil. Then add beef broth, water, carrots, celery, cauliflower and zuccini. A little more beef broth and water may need to be added (you dont want the water level to pass your vegetables, although close to that) Slow cook for 2 hours and add the potatoes a half an hour before serving. The only vegetables that you can see when finished are the carrots and potatoes, the rest should have become the "stew" it is fairly thick when done and super yummy/healthy!

Mexican Chili Lasagna

I am a little embarrassed to admit this but I got this recipe off the Rachel Ray show. I have tried it though and both my husband and I liked it, which doesn't always happen.

5 8-inch flour tortillas (I used whole weat)
1 10-ounce box frozen corn, defrosted
1 15-ounce can black beans; drained and rinsed
2 cups chili (I used turkey chili)
2-3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

preheat oven to 350 degrees

in medium bowl mix corn, black beans, and chili

heat a small skillet over medium-high heat, add a tortilla to the skillet and let it toast until it starts to slightly scorch then flip it and do the same on other side. repeat with all tortillas. place 2 toasted tortillas in bottom of 8x8 baking dish. top with 1/3 of chili mixture and 1/3 cheese. repeat 2 more times, using only one tortilla on top layer. transfer to oven for 20 minutes or until you see sides bubbling. garnish with chopped olives and cilantro.

4 servings

Chicken Pesto Pizza

This is a quick dinner, especially if you cook a few chicken breasts in the George Foreman Grill. You'll have a yummy pizza in 15 minutes!

1-2 cooked chicken breasts, chopped
1/2 cup pesto
6 oz artichoke hearts
1 cup mozzorella cheese
on a pre-cooked crust (we like Bobelli)

Bake at 400 for 8-10 min (to melt chesse)

Taco Soup

I just got this from a girl at my work. It looks easy and is apparently delicious.

1 tsp garlic powder
1 t ground cumin
6 c chicken broth
16 oz. jar mild chunky salsa (or HOT salsa)
15 oz. can corn, drained
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 c cilantro, chopped
1 bag tortilla chips (or fritos)
cheddar cheese, shredded
sour cream
(for more oomph, add 2 c of chicken)

In a large pot, combine garlic, cumin, chicken broth, salsa, corn, beans and cilantro.
Cook until heated through. Serve with chips, cheese and sour cream.

Maple Salmon

I made this dish last night with fresh green beans... it was yummy and super easy!

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound salmon

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper.
Place salmon in a shallow baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning once.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, and bake salmon 20 minutes, or until easily flaked with a fork.

Philly Rolls

I found a great website for any of you who like to make sushi. The following is their recipe for a Philly Roll, which is exactly how I make my Philly rolls.

2 8" lengths of 1/4" square cream cheese

3 ounces smoked salmon

2 8" lengths of 1/4" square cucumber

2 toasted Nori (sushi grade seaweed) sheets

1 cup Sushi rice

Cook rice according to directions. Dip hands in water to keep it from sticking to you.

Place one full sheet of sushi nori on your bamboo mat, shiny side down. Cover the nori sheet with your prepared sushi rice, leaving an inch and a half of nori bare lengthwise away from you. Place your toppings lengthwise at center of your rice. Fold your bamboo mat over, and with even pressure, tighten your roll by pressing and pulling on your mat. Finish your rolling by rolling your tightened roll over the last flap of nori. Repeat the tightening process if necessary. Slice your Philadelphia Roll into eight pieces. Serve with ginger, wasabi & soy sauce.

FYI

Just so you all know, after we add a recipe, there is a box "labels for this post"; we want to add a subject or more so that if we are looking for a chicken dish, all we have to do is type in "Chicken" in the upper left hand corner of the blog and click on "search this blog". It makes it really easy for everyone!

Thanks! We have some great recipes! YUM.

Chicken Mango Lettuce Wraps with Ginger Soy Sauce

My sister made these during Christmas break and they were incredible. I can imagine that it would be even better when mangoes are in season.



Instead of posting the whole recipe, I'll give you the link on epicurious.com

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/232487

Enjoy!

Cowboy Caviar

This is a Kellis family recipe that gets rave revues. It's a dip for tortilla chips.

Chop the following:
1/2 bunch of cilantro
several green onions
1 1/2 red/ orange bell pepper

Mix with:
2 cans shoepegg corn
1 can pinto beans with jalapenos
1 can chopped green chilies
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
8 oz zesty Italian dressing

Mmmmmmmmm.....

Spinach Artichoke Dip

My sister-in-law claims this is the best version she's EVER had! And it's muy easy.

Combine the following in a 9x13 casserole dish
14 oz artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
10-12 oz thawed chopped spinach
2 cups light mayo
2 cups grated parmesean cheese
2 cloves crushed garlic (or 1 teaspoon granualted garlic)
Sprinkle with a pinch of paprika

Bake at 325 for 50-60 minutes. Serve with any bread, chips or crackers. We love it with tortilla chips.

Très Léchés

This is the easy, cheater version. But it's delicious so no one will ever know.

1 box Duncan Hines golden butter recipe cake mix
2 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated milk
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
16-ounce carton light cream or half and half

Make cake batter as directed on box. (MUST be a butter recipe mix.) Pour into greased and floured 9x13-inch cake pan. (I prefer cupcakes as they soak the milk up easier, but either way works). Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees and let cool completely.

In a bowl, mix the milks and cream. Pierce cake (or cupcakes) with a fork and pour the milk mixture evenly over it and let it absorb.

Refrigerate a minimum of one hour. Serve cold, topped with fresh fruit.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

I just made this a few nights ago. I found the recipe and tweaked it quite a bit and it turned out awesome....tastes just like you'd find in a cafe!

1/4 c. butter
1 onion, chopped
16 oz. package frozen broccoli
2 cans chicken broth
1 - 1 1/2 lbs process cheese, cubed (Velveeta) (more or less based on preference)
1 c. milk
1 Tbsp. garlic powder or 1 clove fresh garlic (I used fresh)
1/2 c. cornstarch
2/3 c. water
1 c. cheddar cheese

Melt butter in stock pot. Cook onion in butter. Stir in broccoli and then add the chicken broth. Simmer until broccoli is tender (10-15 minutes). Reduce heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Mix in milk and garlic. (You can add the garlic when you add the onion if you like more garlic flavor) Dissolve cornstarch in water in a separate bowl. Stir into soup. Cook, stirring frequently until the soup is thick. Add the cup of cheese and let it melt. Enjoy!

Butternut Squash Soup

This is the yummiest squash soup ever! But it makes a lot, so I would have friends over next time I do it....

Butternut Squash Soup

6 cups (about 2 large squash) seeded 2inch wide chuncks
Melted butter for brushing
1 Tablespoon kosher salt, plus 1 teaspoon
1 teaspoon ground pepper, plus 1/2 teaspoon
3 cups chicken stock
4 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon minced ginger
4 oz heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat 400 F

Brush flesh of squash with a little butter and season with 1 Tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bake in oven flesh side up. Roast for about 30-35 minutes or until soft.

Scoop the flesh from skin into a pot and add the stock, honey, and ginger. Bring to simmer and puree using a stick blender. Stir in heavy cream and return to a low simmer. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg.

Indonesian Ginger Chicken

I actually copied this recipe from another blog because it looked so good. It was really yummy! Instead of the quarted chicken I used chicken breasts and baked it for 40 min.

1 cup Honey
3\4 cup soy sauce
1\4 cup minced garlic (about 10 cloves)
1\2 cup peeled and grated fresh ginger
1 chicken quartered with backs removed

Cook the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan over low heat until the honey is melted. Arrange the chicken in a shallow baking pan, skin side down, and pour on the sauce. Cover pan and marinate overnight in refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 1/2 hour. Uncover the pan , turn the chicken skin side up and raise temperature to 375. Continue baking for 30 minutes or until juices are clear.
The sauce becomes a rich dark brown.

Salsa Chicken

A standby favorite of mine. For nights when I need something super easy. I'll think and post more elaborate ones later. I just couldn't be the only "contributor" who hasn't contributed.

1 can black beans
1 cup salsa
1 can corn
chicken breasts
Put all of this in the crock pot and cook! Shred the chicken right in the crockpot. Then put in tortillas with cheese, sour cream, etc.

Bran Muffins like Mimi's Cafe

I can't wait to try these!

1 cup flour
1 cup bran
4 tsp dry milk powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
2 Tbsp molasses
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 tsp grated orange zest
1/2 cup water

Glaze:

3 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp dark brown sugar, packed
3 Tbsp shortening
2 Tbsp corn syrup
2 tsp water

Distribute about 1 Tbsp glaze onto bottom and sides of 12 muffin tins with pastry brush. Combine flour, bran, milk powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well and set aside.

Mix together brown sugar, dark corn syrup, molasses, oil and egg in separate bowl until well blended. Puree raisins and orange zest with water in blender or food processor. Add to liquid ingredients. Stir liquid ingredients into dry ingredients until just moistened. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Immediately invert onto foil or wax paper to cool. Makes 12 muffins

Feta Topped Chicken

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 Tbs. Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
1/4 tsp. Seasoned Pepper
1 Large Roma Tomato
1/4 c. Crumbled Feta Cheese

Set oven to Broil. Brush both sides of Chicken with Vinegar.
Sprinkle Italian Seasoning and Seasoned Pepper on both sides of Chicken.

Place on Broiler Pan. Broil tops 4" from heat for about 10 min. turning once until juice is clear when center of the thickest part of the chicken is cut.

Top with Tomato and Cheese. Broil 2-3 min. longer until Cheese is lightly browned.