Slushies

So I got this idea from the Bake at 350 Blog. She made Coke Icee's, but I've come to the conclusion that any flavor would be delicious...we have tried it with Red Cream Soda. The recipe actually comes from the booklet of recipes that you get when you buy the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker (which I LOVE!)

4 cups cola or other soda, lemonade, juice, Kool-Aid, etc., chilled (you really Can use any liquid as long as it is NOT sugar free)

Turn the machine on and pour soda into freezer bowl and let mix until thick and slushy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately, or if desired, transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer. Remove from freezer at least 20 minutes before serving.

Ground Turkey Enchiladas

This recipe came from A Bountiful Kitchen...it isn't the prettiest to look at, but it is a yummy way to use ground turkey.

For Topping:

1 1/4 cups frozen corn, thawed

1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies (I used only half that amount)

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

1/3 cup whipping cream (you can use half and half to cut the fat)

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

For Enchiladas:

3/4 lb. ground turkey

1/3 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tblsp. olive oil

3/4 cup mild red salsa

1 Tblsp. cornmeal

2 tsp. chili powder (I used a little over 1 tsp...but we don't like things too hot)

1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground oregano

salt and pepper

8 corn tortillas, warmed or grilled (I think I probably used 16...and I would use flour tortillas next time)

1 1/2 cups cheese, pepper jack or Mexican cheese blend, divided

1/4 cup sliced olives, optional

Place the first six ingredients in a food processor, cover and pulse until blended. Do not over pulse.

In a large skillet, cook the turkey, onion, and garlic in oil over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Remove from heat, stir in salsa, cornmeal, and seasonings.

Spoon 1/3 cup turkey mixture down the center of each tortilla, top with two Tblsp. cheese. Roll up and place seam side down in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Lay the tortillas so you have two rows of four tortillas, side by side. Spoon corn mixture over the top.

Cover with foil and bake and 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for additional 5-10 minutes longer until heated and cheese is bubbly on top.

Cilantro-Lime Halibut

This is another recipe I found on Favorite Family Recipes, but they found it from Gastronomy, Inc. Gastronomy has a few restaurants in Utah, and they have the BEST seafood, so I knew this should be good.

2 six-ounce fresh halibut fillets

salt and pepper to taste

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 cup white wine or chicken stock

1 Tblsp. fresh cilantro, chopped

juice of 1 lime

1 tsp. lime zest

2 Tblsp. olive oil

Season halibut with salt and pepper one hour before cooking. Place in refrigerator.

Lightly oil a non-stick pan with canola or vegetable oil. Over high heat, sear each side of the halibut fillets for five to ten seconds each. Searing the fillets will cook a fine layer on the outside of the fish so that it will not stick to the barbecue. Because of the moistness and flakiness of halibut, this will prevent the halibut from sticking and falling through the grates of your barbecue grill.

Remove halibut from pan and turn heat down to medium. Add olive oil and garlic to pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add wine or chicken stock, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and olive oil to the saute pan and heat until hot but not boiling.

Remove sauce from heat and baste fish on both sides. Cook on barbecue grill for 2 minutes per side (it took mine quite a bit longer than 2 minutes to cook so I must not have had my grill very hot), basting constantly while cooking. Serve immediately.

Chicken Lime Tacos

I've been on the hunt for some healthier recipes lately, and this one, which I found on Favorite Family Recipes, is delicious.

1 1/2 lbs. chicken, cubed

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

juice of 1 lime

2 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

4-5 green onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 Tblsp. fresh cilantro (or to taste)

flour tortillas

Optional toppings:

Pico de gallo

cheese

onions

tomatoes

guacamole

cilantro

sour cream

Saute chicken in a medium skillet in a little oil for a few minutes until chicken becomes white all around. Combine vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, green onion, garlic, and cilantro and add to chicken. Simmer for an extra 10-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Add chicken to tortillas and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, cilantro, salsa, sour cream, or any other taco topping you like.

Black Beans and Rice

This is another recipe from Mel's Kitchen. I LOVE that food blog! I have been looking for more recipes with beans, and I thought this one was definitely a keeper.

4 tsp. olive oil

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

5-6 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 (16-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

3/4 tsp. dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 cup water

2 Tblsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

4-5 cups hot, cooked white or brown rice

In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic and saute, stirring often, for about 15 minutes, until all the vegetables are soft and tender. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, thyme, bay leaf, oregano, and water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a tablespoon or two of hot water to thin to desired consistency.

Stir in the fresh cilantro and season with salt and pepper; discard the bay leaf. Serve over the hot rice.

Fruited Cheesecake Flag

So I found this recipe on Mel's Kitchen Cafe. Her picture is WAY better than mine, and she uses raspberries AND strawberries, which I would have done except that I went to three different places to find raspberries and every one was sold out! I will type the recipe like she does, and if you want to see her awesome picture, head over to her blog.

*this makes 48 squares

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 tsp. salt

12 ounces (3 sticks) butter, softened

1 cup plus 2 Tblsp. light-brown sugar

4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

4 large eggs, room temperature

8-9 ounces (1-2 cups) blueberries

1 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced lengthwise into thirds

12 ounces (3 cups) raspberries

powdered sugar, for dusting

Coat a 13 x 8 inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Coat parchment with cooking spray.

Sift flour and 1 3/4 tsp. salt into a medium bowl. In a large bowl, cream the butter with a mixer on medium-high speed, occasionally scraping bowl, until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. With the mixer running, slowly add light brown sugar, beating until very pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add flour mixture all at once, and beat on low speed until just incorporated.

Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Press the dough into an even layer that covers the bottom of the sheet. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Bake the dough until the entire surface is golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. Let the cookie base cool completely in the baking sheet. Raise oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed, occasionally scraping bowl, until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add granulated sugar in a slow, steady stream. Scrape the bowl, then mix in lemon zest, vanilla and a pinch of salt until well combined. Scrape the bowl, then beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, until incorporated. The mixture should be very smooth; scrape the bowl as necessary. Pour the cheesecake batter over the crust and spread into an even layer.

Bake the cheesecake until the filling is set, about 20-25 minutes. Let the cheesecake cool completely in the baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm and cold, about 4 hours (or overnight).

Run a sharp knife along short sides of sheet, and use the parchment overhangs to lift out the cheesecake. Run the knife under hot water and dry well. Use it to cut the cheesecake into 48 squares, wiping the knife clean between cuts.

Transfer squares to a serving platter, reforming the rectangle. Decorate the top left squares (3 down and 4 across), with a mound of blueberries on each square. Use raspberries (about 4 per square) to decorate the 1st, 3rd, and 5th rows (the 1st and 3rd rows are shorter rows since part of them are decorated with blueberries). Decorate the remaining rows in one of two ways: either dust them with powdered sugar for a completely white row or place three cut strawberries on each square and dust the tops of the strawberries with powdered sugar. If using this method (to dust the strawberries with powdered sugar), dust the strawberries immediately before serving as the powdered sugar will begin to dissolve into the juiciness of the strawberries.

Serve immediately (or refrigerate for up to 3 hours).

Corn Salsa

This recipe is very similar to Jessica's salsa, it just adds a couple of extra ingredients, and is delicious!

4-5 roma tomatoes, chopped

2-4 green onions, chopped

1 can sweet corn, drained

1 can white corn, drained

1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1-2 avacados, chopped

1/2 cucumber, chopped

1 can olives, sliced

1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 pkg. Italian dressing, prepared as directed (you will need olive oil, vinegar, and water)

1-2 bags tortilla chips

Combine all ingredients above. Pour in dressing and stir. Let it refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Chicken Tikka Misala

If anyone besides myself actually looks at this blog and happens to like Indian food, please try this dish!!! It is so delicious. I found the recipe on Favorite Family Recipes, and like they said on their blog, this REALLY is restaurant worthy!! Supposedly it tastes just like the Bombay House's Chicken Tikka Misala.

Marinade:

1 cup plain yogurt (I used Greek)

1 Tblsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I used 1/8 tsp. but I'm kind of a sissy when it comes to spicy)

1 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 Tblsp. minced fresh ginger

1 tsp. salt

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces (I used about 1.25 lbs.)

4 long skewers

Sauce:

1 Tblsp. butter

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. salt (next time I will only add 1/4 tsp.)

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 tsp. cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, pepper, ginger, and 1 tsp. salt. Stir in chicken, cover, refrigerate at least 1 hour. Preheat a grill for high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade. Grill 5 min. on each side.

For the sauce: Melt butter in a large skillet. Saute garlic for 1 minute. Season with 2 tsp. cumin, paprika, and 1 tsp. salt (I would not use this much salt next time...maybe 1/4 tsp.). Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve over rice (I used basmati rice).

Layered Drinks

So this is not so much a recipe, as it is directions for a fun drink to make with your kids. I got the idea from The Sister's Cafe.

Choose 2-3 drinks with different sugar contents for the layers (for example: 30 g. sugar, 15 g. sugar, 0 g. sugar). Now fill your cup with ice all the way to the top. Pour the drink with the highest sugar content into the cup, filling it approximately one third full. For the second layer, pour the second drink with the lower sugar content SLOWLY through the ice to fill approximately the second third of the glass full. Finally, SLOWLY pour the sugar-free or lowest sugar drink slowly through the ice until you've reached the top of the glass.

Baked Brown Rice

For anyone who knows me well, they probably know that I am somewhat vocal about my dislike of brown rice. I know I should eat it because it is so much more healthy, but white rice is SO much more yummy. Well, I tried this recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe today and we ate it with stir-fry. I really liked it...this is not to say I will stop using white rice, because I definitely won't, but now that I have found this way to cook brown rice, it will probably make an appearance at our dinner table with certain kinds of food.

- If you double the recipe, it will fit perfectly in a 9X13 inch pan.

- Makes about 3 1/2 cups cooked rice

1 1/2 cups brown rice

2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water (if using water, add 1 tsp. salt) I used one can of chicken broth and made up the difference with water.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8X8-inch or 9X9-inch baking pan. Place the rice in the prepared pan and pour in the liquid. Stir to equally distribute the rice. Cover tightly with a double layer of aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes (I will try 1 hour and 5 minutes next time...it was delicious but it was on the verge of being too dry). Remove from the oven and let sit for five minutes before removing the aluminum foil and fluffing with a fork. If your rice still has a bit of liquid on the bottom or conversely, if it is dried out, adjust the baking time up or down to make changes.

Variations:

Before baking, slice one small yellow onion into dices or half moons and caramelize and brown in 1 tsp. of olive oil until golden and soft (about 10 minutes in a nonstick skillet). Stir onion into rice and broth mixture and bake according to recipe.

After removing rice from the oven and letting it sit for five minutes, remove aluminum foil and stir in the zest and juice from 1 lemon, 1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese, 1 Tblsp. sugar and 1/2 apple, finely diced.

Chipotle Pork Tacos

I got this recipe from Our Best Bites. It is delicious, but I am still looking for a good lime-cilantro rice recipe. I tried theirs that has the pineapple in it, and couldn't do the texture of it.

1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced thin

1 1/2 tsp. grated lime zest

1 Tblsp. fresh lime juice (juice from 1 lime)

2 tsp. minced fresh oregano, or a heaping 1/2 tsp. dry

1 tsp. brown sugar

2 tsp. chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (use the peppers if you like heat but just the adobo sauce for a mild smoky bite. I used 1 1/2 Tblsp. of the sauce and no peppers and it wasn't spicy at all.)

2 tsp. bottled minced garlic

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

3 tsp. olive oil, divided

1 cup thinly sliced shallots, or onions (I used purple onions)

8 (6 inch) corn tortillas (or flour if you prefer)

sour cream

chopped cilantro

Recommended: Lime-Cilantro Rice

Combine thinly sliced pork, lime zest, lime juice, oregano, brown sugar, chipotles, garlic, and salt. Set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tsp. olive oil. Add onions and saute for 4 minutes or until tender. Remove from pan and set aside. Add 2 tsp. olive oil to pan and add pork mixture. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink. Add pork to onions. Warm tortillas on a hot grill and fill with pork mixture. Top with sour cream and cilantro. Serves 4.

Gourmet Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

This recipe is off Mel's Kitchen Cafe and is for sure one of my new favorite salads. I made it on Easter two weeks ago and have made is three times since. Seriously, try it!!! This recipe makes a huge salad, so I usually at least cut it in half.

Salad:

10 - 12 cups mixed greens

1 pound white button mushrooms, sliced

2 ripe, fresh pears, sliced thinly (you can also use fresh strawberries, raspberries, or apples...I used one pear and one apple)

1/4 cup thinly sliced Parmesan cheese (I used my big block of cheese and used a vegetable peeler to slice off thin peels of Parmesan)

1 large carrot, thinly sliced

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 to 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

5 - 7 slices of bacon, cooked and coarsely chopped

3 cups of homemade croutons (see below)

Put mixed greens in a large salad bowl. Top with other ingredients and toss. Serve with red wine vinaigrette dressing.

Red Wine Vinaigrette:

2/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 cup red onions, finely grated (about 1/4 of a large red onion)

2 Tblsp. Dijon mustard

2 tsp. salt

ground pepper to taste

2 cups canola oil

Add all ingredients except oil in a blender. Blend well. While processing, slowly add the canola oil and blend well. Transfer dressing to a jar or cruet. It keeps well in the refrigerator for 1 -2 weeks (if it gets too thick when it's been in the fridge, pop it in the microwave for 5 - 10 seconds to help thin it out).

Homemade Croutons:

These are so much better than storebought and so easy to make too! You can use any bread that has substance to it. It can't be too airy or it won't work, but any fairly dense bread will work. I used hoagie buns from the deli at Target, and cut them into 1/2 inch strips. Then cut the strips into about 1/2 to 3/4- inch cubes.

Place the bread cubes onto a rimmed baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Drizzle the bread cubes with about 2 Tblsp. olive oil and toss well with your hands so the cubes are evenly coated, for the most part.

Next, take about a teaspoon of coarse/kosher salt and sprinkle it over the bread cubes.

Do the same with about a 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.

Toss again until spices are evenly distributed. Then put it in the oven for about 8 - 10 minutes, checking often and baking until the cubes are golden brown and toasted.

Anniversary Bowtie & Asparagus Pasta

I made this pasta to go with some chicken breasts on Mother's Day, and it is DELICIOUS!! Not too healthy, but seriously so good!!! I got the recipe from Favorite Family Recipes, and adapted it to my liking.

1 (16 oz.) package bow tie pasta

1/2 cup (1 cube) butter (don't substitute margarine)

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1-2 chicken bouillon cubes

1 pint heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste

1 small bunch asparagus, blanched (original recipe called for 10-15 spears, but I thought it could use more)

1/2 cup bacon, crumbled (I used the real bacon pieces from Costco)

1/2 cup toasted pinenuts

parsley, to taste

Parmesan cheese, to taste

Boil bow tie pasta in salted water until al dente. Do NOT overcook. In wok or heavy skillet melt butter. Add minced garlic and saute a minute or so. Add Parmesan cheese and bouillon cube(s). When the bouillon cube is dissolved, slowly stir in heavy cream and salt and pepper. Add cooked pasta to cream sauce and toss until pasta is well covered. Add blanched asparagus. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon, toasted pinenuts, parsley and Parmesan cheese and toss together. Serve immediately.

Annniversary Paprika Chicken

This recipe is from Favorite Family Recipes and is delicious!

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs (or Panko seasoned with Italian seasoning)

1 cube (1/2 cup) melted butter

Paprika

Combine Parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs. Dip chicken breast in melted butter. Roll in crumb mixture until completely coated. Place in baking dish and sprinkle generously with paprika. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes at 375 degrees. Do not overcook!

Serve with Anniversary Bowtie Asparagus Pasta

Chicken With Wild Rice Soup

I got this recipe from Miriam, and we made it several times this past winter. I thought I should post it before it is scorching hot outside and I forget about it by next winter.

3 cups cooked Uncle Ben's Wild Rice (1 box)

2 carrots, diced small

1 cup diced chicken

1 cup flour

salt and pepper

1 medium onion, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1/2 cup butter

8 cups chicken broth

1 cup half and half

Saute carrots, celery, and onion in butter until tender.

Mix flour with a little bit of the chicken broth so it won't get lumpy, then add flour to veggies. Add broth, rice, chicken, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Add half and half and reheat, but don't boil again. Serve with rolls to dip, or in bread bowls.

Spaghetti with Artichoke Hearts and Tomatoes

Jake LOVED this recipe!! He didn't even ask where the meat was! I thought it was deliciouss to. I found it on the Pioneer Woman Website.

2 Tblsp. Olive Oil

2 Tblsp. butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 whole medium onion, finely diced

1 can Artichoke Hearts (14.5 oz.) drained

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with juice

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup chicken broth (more as needed)

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

salt and pepper, to taste

3/4 to 1 lb. thin spaghetti (you really should use the THIN spaghetti)

1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

2 Tblsp. fresh chives, chopped

Cook spaghetti till al dente. Drain and set aside.

Melt olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add artichoke hearts and tomatoes. Stir and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Add nutmeg. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream and chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook over low heat until heated through, then turn off heat.

Place drained pasta in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 cup Parmesan cheese. Pour sauce over the top. Add chives. Toss lightly to combine and coat; add a tiny bit of reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick.

Classic Pasta Salad

1 lb. rotini pasta noodles, cooked

2-3 medium tomatoes

1 can olives, sliced

1 large head broccoli, cut into florets

fresh mozzarella or string cheese (about 6), diced

Italian salad dressing (homemade OR storebought)

Mix first five ingredients, then cover with Italian dressing and stir to coat. Serve.

Roasted Broccoli

I made this the other day, and Jacob probably ate at least 10 pieces of broccoli!

broccoli, cut into small florets

canola or olive oil (I had a mixture of the two in my Misto, so I just used that)

kosher salt to taste

fresh lemon (optional)

put the broccoli on a cookie sheet mixed with the canola (or just spray from Misto onto the broccoli). Sprinkle kosher salt over the broccoli. Put in the oven on "broil" (I set my broil to 450) for 4 minutes. Take out and mix it up and put it back in for 3 more minutes. It should be a little bit brown when it is done. Serve.

Chicken with Garlic and Black Pepper

4 boneless chicken thighs

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

4 1/2 tsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. chili powder

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tblsp. vegetable oil

4 lime wedges

Wash chicken. Pat dry with paper towels. Rub chicken thighs on both sides with pepper.

In a bowl, combine the cilantro, soy sauce, sugar, chili powder, and garlic. Rub mixture over the chicken thighs. Pour remaining marinade in ziploc bag with chicken pieces, refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over med/high heat until hot. Add chicken pieces, skin side down if they have skin. Cook until the skin is brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Turn chicken over. Reduce heat to med/low and cook 4-5 minutes more or until chicken thighs are cooked through.

Transfer chicken to a cutting board, skin side up. Cut each thigh into 3 strips. Serve over rice, if you prefer, or serve with fried rice. Serve with lime wedges.

Pasta with Sauteed Mushrooms

1 Tblsp. olive oil

1 Tblsp. unsalted butter

3 shallots, minced (about 1/2 cup)

4 oz. shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced

6 oz. cremini mushrooms, sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

2/3 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 lb. pasta (about 3 cups)

1 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated

1 Tblsp. chopped fresh parsley

1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil and butter over medium heat in a 10 inch skillet until butter is melted. Add shallots and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, stir in the shiitake mushrooms, and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the cremini mushrooms and 1/4 tsp. salt. Cook until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme. Cook until fragrant about 30 seconds. Transfer mushrooms to a bowl and cover.

Stir broth into the skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the cream, bring to a simmer. Cook until sauce has thickened slightly and reduced to about 2/3 cup, about 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta al dente, according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.

Mix the cooked mushrooms, sauce, Parmesan, parsley, and lemon juice with the pasta and toss to combine. Adjust the sauce consistency with the reserved cooking water as desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Black Bean and Sweet Corn Quinoa

I have been looking for a good recipe for quinoa for a long time now, and this is definitely it!! I found it on the Sister's Cafe Blog.

1 Tblsp. olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup uncooked quinoa

1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (this was too much for us...toooo spicy....next time I will put just a pinch or maybe even omit the cayenne)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 cup frozen sweet white corn

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When simmering and hot, add the onions and saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Add the quinoa and cover with broth. Stir in cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes (or until the liquid is absorbed).

Stir in the frozen corn and black beans. Cover and let the pot sit off the heat until the corn and beans are heated through, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in cilantro. Serve warm or chilled- it is delicious both ways.

Takoraisu

When I saw this recipe on La Fuji Mama's website I knew I had to try it. When on my mission, takoraisu was something that members made for us a lot, I think because they knew it was something that all the American missionaries loved. I hadn't had it since my mission, and it is just as good as I remember! Natsukashii!! You should try it, it's an Asian twist on tacos.

1 Tblsp. vegetable oil

4-5 cloves garlic, minced (her recipe calls for 3...I like garlic:))

1 cup onion, chopped

1 pound ground beef

3 Tblsp. soy sauce

1 Tblsp. chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. table salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

4 cups steamed Japanese Rice (I use Calrose rice...any short grain rice would probably be good)

2 cups lettuce, shredded

2 cup tomatoes, chopped

12 ounces, Queso Blanco, crumbled (or 2 cups shredded mozzarella)

1 cup salsa

4 Tblsp. sour cream

Heat the vegetable oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and saute until the onions are barely soft. Add the ground beef and break it into small chunks. Once the meat is cooked, add the soy sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Let this simmer until the liquid reduces.

Spread 1/2 to 1 cup of the steamed rice on each plate. Top with the seasoned beef.

Then top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, queso blanco, and salsa, and finish it off with a dollop of sour cream.

Indian Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice

This recipe is definitely a keeper. After we ate it, Ruby asked me if I could please make this again sometime...and let's be honest...if the kids will eat it, it is worth repeating! I found it on the sister's cafe blog.

1 onion (1/2 lb.), peeled and chopped

2 Tblsp. fresh ginger, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 fresh jalapeno, seeded, and chopped

1 Tblsp. olive or canola oil

2 tsp. garam masala

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cardamom

1/2 tsp. coriander

1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup half and half

1/4 tsp. crushed bay leaves

1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4 inch chunks

1/2 tsp. coarse-ground black pepper

1 tsp. salt

1/4 cup butter

2 cups, basmati rice, uncooked (you should really use the basmati, it is soooo good!)

lime wedges

fresh cilantro, chopped

cook rice according to package instructions

In a large saute pan, combine onion, ginger, chili, and oil. Stir often over medium-high heat until onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, garam masala, chili powder, cardamom and coriander. Saute for an additional 2 minutes.

Scrape mixture into a blender or food processor; add tomato paste and chicken broth. Whirl until very smooth. Pour mixture back into pan, add half and half and crushed bay leaves, and bring to a gentle boil over high heat (mixture may splatter). Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until reduced to 3 cups, about 5-7 minutes. Pour sauce into a bowl. Rinse and dry pan.

Pat the chicken dry. Mix chicken with salt and pepper. Set pan over high heat; add 1 Tblsp. butter and the chicken. Stir until chicken is no longer pink on the surface, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sauce and simmer over medium heat, stirring often, until chicken is no longer pink in the center, 3 to 4 minutes. Cut remaining 3 Tblsp. butter into chunks and stir into sauce until melted.

Spoon chicken and sauce onto rice. Squeeze lime juice over portions and garnish with cilantro.

Calico Baked Beans

So I got this recipe off the Platinum Wives Recipe Blog, and I would have NEVER looked at the ingredients and thought I should make it. The only reason I wanted to try it is because Jessica Stevenson posted it, and anything that I have tried that she made has been DELICIOUS! I wouldn't normally have this for a main dish, because it seems like such a big dish of meat, but if you took this dish of baked beans to a summer BBQ, everyone would think it's the BEST baked beans ever:)

1/2 lb. bacon, chopped

1 lb. ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup catsup

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1 tsp. dry mustard

2 Tblsp. vinegar

1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans

1 (16 oz.) can pork and beans

1 small can lima beans (drained)

Brown hamburger, bacon, and onion...drain. Add salt, catsup, sugar, mustard, and vinegar. Mix well and bring to a boil, then add beans to mixture. Put in 2 quart baking dish, leave uncovered, and bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour.

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

I have been meaning to post this for a long time...it came from the Pioneer Woman's website.

1 pie crust

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup finely diced onion

1/2 cup finely diced carrot

1/2 cup finely diced celery

2 cups leftover turkey, light and dark, diced or shredded

1/4 cup flour

2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth

1 cup heavy cream

frozen peas (optional)

fresh thyme, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Melt butter in a skillet or dutch oven. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until translucent (a couple of minutes).

Add turkey and stir. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir. Cook over medium heat for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly.

Pour in chicken or turkey broth, stirring constantly. Pour in cream. Add frozen peas, if using.

Bring to a slow boil and allow mixture to cook and thicken for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste (do not underseason), and fresh or dried thyme to taste. Do one final taste at the end and add what it needs.

Pour mixture into a casserole dish or deep pie pan.

Roll out crust so that it's about 1 inch larger than the pan you're using.

Place the crust on top of the pot pie mixture, and press crust into the sides of the dish. Cut vents in the top of the crust.

Bake for 30 minutes or until very golden and bubbly.

Allow to cool for a little bit before serving.

Baked Salmon

Salmon Fillet

Butter

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Salt and Pepper

Dill

Fresh lemon

If salmon still has skin on it you may cut it off before cooking if you prefer. Place salmon fillet on jelly roll pan lined with aluminum foil. Squeeze a small amount of lemon juice over the fillet. Cut the butter into small chunks and place on fillet. Sprinkle lightly with lemon pepper, salt, pepper, and dill. Bake in 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, less if it is a really thin fillet.

Roasted Shrimp Scampi

raw shrimp

olive oil

salt and pepper

Remove tail and de-vein shrimp (this is the part that grosses me out, but I found that the frozen shrimp at Costco are already de-veined!). Place shrimp on cookie sheet and baste with olive oil. Grind sea salt and pepper over them. Place in 400 degree oven for 4-7 minutes (depending on the size of shrimp). These are delicious, but make sure to not overcook them, or they will be chewy.

Cauliflower Soup

I probably never would have tried this recipe except for the fact that I happened upon it and I had a whole head of cauliflower that needed to be used sitting in the refrigerator. I'm glad I did try it because it is seriously good! Jake wasn't home the night we had it, which was probably good because he would have wondered where the meat was :), but he did try it the next day and liked it. Little Jake pounded a big bowl of it, and Ruby thought it was ok. I found the recipe on The Pioneer Woman's website, and will be repeating it.

1 stick butter, divided

1/2 whole onion, finely diced

1 whole carrot, finely diced

1 stalk celery, finely diced

1 whole (to 2 whole) cauliflower heads, roughly chopped (I halved the recipe and used about 3/4 of a head of cauliflower)

2 Tblsp fresh or dried parsley

2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth or stock

6 Tblsp. all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk (I used 2% to cut a little fat, and it was delicious...next time I may try 1%)

1 cup half-and-half

2 tsp. to 4 tsp. salt, to taste (I omitted this, and just added a little to our own bowls of soup)

1 cup (heaping) sour cream, room temperature

In a large soup pot or dutch oven, melt 4 Tblsp. butter. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes or until it starts to turn brown.

Add the carrots and celery and cook an additional couple of minutes. Add cauliflower and parsley and stir to combine.

Cover and cook over very low heat for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer.

In a medium saucepan, melt 4 Tblsp. butter. Mix the flour with the milk and whisk to combine. Add flour-milk mixture slowly to the butter, whisking constantly. It should thicken up fairly quickly.

Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup half-and-half. Add mixture to the simmering soup. Allow to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Check seasoning and add more salt or pepper if necessary.

Before serving, place the sour cream in a serving bowl or soup tureen. Add two or three ladles of hot soup into the tureen and stir to combine with the sour cream. Pour in remaining soup and stir.

Serve immediately.

Spicy Honey Chicken Salad

BTW I got this recipe from Our Best Bites

1-2 heads of romaine or red leaf lettuce

2 ripe but firm mangoes, chilled

2-3 ripe but firm avacados

thinly sliced red onions (optional)

Spicy Honey Chicken (from chicken section on left column)

Slice mangoes, avacados, and onions and place them on top of lettuce. When chicken is done cooking, wait 5 minutes before slicing to preserve the juices. Slice chicken and place on the salad. Cover salads with Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette and serve.

Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 Tblsp. grated onion

1/3 cup fresh orange juice

3 Tblsp. fresh lime juice

2 Tblsp. honey

3/4 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Place all ingredients in a tightly sealed jar and shake vigorously. Store in the fridge, and shake before dressing salad.

Spicy Honey Chicken

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 2 lbs.

2 tsp. vegetable oil

Rub:

2 tsp. granulated garlic

2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. coriander

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. chipotle chili powder

Glaze:

1/2 cup honey

1 Tblsp. cider vinegar

Combine the rub spices in a bowl and mix well.

Use kitchen shears to trim off any excess fat from the chicken pieces. Pat dry. Drizzle oil over chicken and rub in with your hands to lightly coat all the pieces. Then toss chicken with the spice rub to coat all sides well. Use your hands to get them coated well. Grill for 3-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through.

While chicken is cooking, warm honey in the microwave so it's not so thick. Add the vinegar and combine well. Reserve 2 Tblsp. honey glaze for later. Take the rest and brush on both sides of chicken in the final moments of grilling. This will make a mess because it will drip, but it is worth it! Leave the grill on for a few minutes after to burn off any excess glaze. (You can also do this on an indoor grill if you prefer)

Once chicken is finished cooking, drizzle the 2 Tblsp. of reserved glaze over top.

Serve over rice or on a salad...delicious!

Rice Pudding

This is the best rice pudding recipe EVER!! If you cool it in the fridge before eating it, it tastes almost exactly like Kozy Shack rice pudding that you can buy in the refrigerated section at the grocery store. I could seriously eat a whole batch. The recipe is from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

3/4 cup Arborio rice, rinsed

6 cups whole milk

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup sugar

pinch of salt

1/4 cup heavy cream

In a medium saucepan, combine rice, milk, vanilla, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until rice is tender and liquid has absorbed, about 40-45 minutes. (It took mine between 1 hour and 1 hour 15 minutes: I didn't cover it while it simmered because her recipe didn't say to, but I wonder if I would have covered it if it would have been done in 40-45 minutes...maybe next time I'll try that)

Stir in heavy cream and serve warm, or chill it and then serve.

Hoisin Chicken Lettuce Wraps

This recipe is off of Mel's Kitchen Cafe, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite recipe blogs!!

1 Tblsp. canola oil

1 large red pepper, diced small

1 (10 oz.) package baby portebello mushrooms, diced small

2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tsp. minced garlic out of the jar)

2 average sized boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced small

1 (8 oz.) can water chestnuts, drained, diced small

2 tsp. teriyaki sauce (located by the soy sauce)

4 Tblsp. hoisin sauce

3 cups of hot cooked rice

romaine lettuce leaves

sesame seeds

scallions, thinly sliced

Heat oil over medium high heat in a large saute pan. Add red pepper and mushrooms and saute for 5-6 minutes until tender. Add garlic and saute an additional minute. Add chicken to pan and cook for 6-8 minutes or until cooked through. Stir chicken and red pepper mixture occasionally while it cooks. Add water chestnuts, teriyaki sauce and hoisin sauce and stir to coat the chicken and vegetables. Continue cooking until heated through.

To serve top pieces of romaine lettuce with a scoop of rice, some of the hoisin chicken, a sprinkle of sesame seeds and scallions, and (this is my addition) some soy sauce mixed with a few drops of La Yu chili sauce. Wrap it up and eat it.

Chicken Fajita Pita

This recipe came from the Platinum Wives Recipe blog, we loved it! I did make a couple of changes in measurements, but it's pretty much the same.

2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1+ tsp. minced garlic out of the jar)

3 Tblsp. oil

1 1/2 tsp. cumin

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

1 1/2 cups green, red, and yellow peppers, cut into strips

1 small onion, diced

2 Tblsp. freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)

4 whole wheat pitas, cut in half

Toppings:

shredded cheese

shredded lettuce

diced tomatoes, or salsa

sour cream

diced avacados, or guacamole

In a large skillet heat oil, garlic, and cumin over medium heat. Add chicken; saute on each side 4-5 minutes or until tender. Add pepper strips, onion, and lime juice; saute 4 minutes. Spread chicken mixture on pita bread. Add desired toppings.

Copycat Spaghetti Factory's Mizithra Pasta with Browned Butter

This is the meal I used to order EVERY time I went to the Old Spaghetti Factory...I love it, but I don't think anyone else in my family really likes it, so I don't make it super often.

1 cup butter

1 cup Mizithra Cheese, grated

Spaghetti noodles (or pasta of your choice)

Cook the pasta as directed on package. I can't remember exactly how much I used, but my guess is about 1 lb. (I think I may have halved the recipe, so only 1/2 lb. pasta)

Meanwhile, cut 2 sticks of butter into 8 pieces, and place in a 2 quart saucepan. Place on burner on medium heat. Bring butter to a slow boil.

Once the butter begins to boil, stir constantly to prevent residue from sticking to the bottom of the pan. As the butter cooks, it will start to foam and rise. Continue stirring (about 5 minutes), otherwise the butter foam could overflow and catch fire.

Once the butter stops foaming and rising, cook until amber in color (about 1 to 2 minutes). It will have a pleasant caramel aroma.

Turn off the heat and remove pan from burner. Let the sediment settle to the bottom of the pan for a few minutes.

Pour the brown butter through a strainer into a small bowl. Do not disturb the sediment at the bottom of the pan.

The brown butter can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in a microwave as needed.

Divide the cooked pasta and put a very small amount of browned butter and mizithra cheese over each serving. (A little sauce goes a long way in this a long way in this recipe...it will be ruined easily by putting too much sauce or mizithra on top).

Caramel Chex Mix

I got this from the Crazy Daisy Blog and made a batch for neighbors/visiting teachees for Christmas...it was delicious and I was just glad that most of it was given away before I ate it all!!

1 pound butter

3 cups brown sugar

1 cup white corn syrup

2 (14 oz.) boxes of Chex cereal (I used one corn and one rice)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

2 brown paper bags from your grocer's checkstand

First, open paper bags and place one inside of the other. Set aside. Cover table or counter top with wax paper. Spray with non-stick cooking spray. Bring the first three ingredients to a boil on the stove in a large kettle, stirring frequently so as not to burn. When everything is all melted and incorporated, take off of heat and add vanilla and baking soda. Stir until foamy. Pour over the double bagged Chex. Roll down top and shake well. microwave for 2 minutes and shake well. Microwave for 2 more minutes and shake again. Make sure to turn the bag on all sides each time you shake to spread the caramel. Open bag and check to make sure the caramel is spread evenly throughout the Chex. If not, shake it up again. However, you should be able to dump the Chex onto the sprayed wax paper. Gently spread the Chex a little. Give it a stir every once in a while as it cools, so that it doesn't dry in one huge clump.

Summer Rotini Salad

This recipe is from Favorite Family Recipes, and great to take to a summer barbeque!

1 pkg. tri-colored Rotini pasta (cooked to al dente...rinse with cold water)

1/2 bottle Italian dressing, or to taste (the recommended dressing is Kraft Light Zesty Italian with extra-virgin olive oil, 16 oz.)

1 Tblsp. lemon pepper (or to taste)

1-2 avocados, diced

2 tomatoes, diced (or 1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained well OR sun-dried tomatoes)

2 small cans sliced olives

5 sticks of string cheese, cut into circles

1 jar quartered artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (NOT grated)

Other things you could add:

cooked chicken, seasoned and diced

chopped broccoli

green or red bell pepper

onion

mushrooms

Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl until pasta is evenly coated in dressing. For best results, cover with plastic wrap and let sit in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours before serving.

Meditteranean Pasta

I got this recipe from allrecipes.com.

1 (8 oz.) package linguine pasta

3 slices bacon

1 lb. boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and diced

salt to taste

1 (14.5 oz.) can peeled and diced tomatoes with juice

1/4 tsp. dried rosemary

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

2/3 cup pitted black olives

1 (6 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown, drain, crumble and set aside. (You may also use already cooked bacon if you want)

Season chicken with salt. Stir chicken with bacon in a large skillet or saucepan. Add tomatoes and rosemary, and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in feta cheese, olives and artichoke hearts and cook until heated through. Toss with fresh cooked pasta and serve warm. Garnish with extra feta if desired.

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

I got this recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe, it is SO good!

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained well

1 can mandarin oranges, drained well

2 - 3 ripe kiwi, peeled, and cut into thick half moons

1 cup green or purple grapes, halved

1 cup strawberries, quartered

zest from 1 lime, about 1 Tblsp.

2 Tblsp. honey

1 tsp. poppyseeds (optional)

Combine the fruit in a medium-large serving bowl. Add the lime zest, and poppyseeds, if using, and gently toss. Drizzle the honey over the fruit, and again, gently mix until fruit is evenly coated with the honey. Serve.

If not serving this salad immediately, don't put the strawberries in. They will stain all the other fruit red. The salad can be made ahead of time, just don't add the strawberries until right before serving.

Personal Pizzas

The kids had so much fun making their pizzas...the trick was to keep little hands from eating it all before we cooked them!

This is yet another picky eater recipe, my kids had so much fun doing this, and, in my opinion, these are much better than the kind you make with biscuits!

Rhodes frozen dinner rolls

cornmeal

Pizza sauce (I used tomato sauce seasoned with Italian seasoning)

toppings of your choice, which might include:

Shredded mozzarella cheese

Shredded cheddar cheese

Canadian bacon

Pineapple tidbits

Pepperoni slices

Chopped olives

Sliced mushrooms

Cooked Italian sausage

Diced green peppers

Shredded chicken

BBQ sauce

Onions

Set out the rolls a couple hours ahead of time to begin thawing (You can also quick thaw

them in the microwave, just be careful not to cook them). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. The dough should be pliable but still cold. Smash the dough flat on a plate and then let the children stretch each piece out into a wide circle or whatever shapes they like.

Set out all the toppings so the children can put the sauce on, then the cheese, then whatever else they want. Place 1/2 cup of cornmeal on a baking stone or cookie sheet. Spread to cover pan. Place pizzas atop the cornmeal on the stone or the cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until dough is lightly browned on edges. Serve, then start all over again until everyone is full.

Enchilada Casserole

This is another recipe from the 52 weeks of recipes for picky kids...our whole family really likes this!! I make the entire recipe, but I freeze half of the meat mixture and half of the sour cream mixture and only make 6 enchiladas, because they are huge! Even with only half the recipe, we can usually eat it for two meals.

1 cup sour cream

2 (10.75 oz.) cans cream of chicken soup

1 (4.5 oz.) can chopped green chilies

1 can olives, sliced

1 lb. ground beef

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground black pepper

1 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 large yellow or sweet onion, chopped

1 (16 oz.) can refried beans

2 tsp. minced garlic

2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried basil

1 Tblsp. cumin

1/2 cup fresh, chopped cilantro leaves

1 (10 oz.) can enchilada sauce

12 10" flour tortillas

1 pound mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sour cream, soup, green chilies, and olives in a large bowl; set aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic salt, onion, beans, garlic, oregano, basil, cumin, and fresh cilantro. Pour 1/2 of the enchilada sauce in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish; set aside. Fill the tortillas with 1 large tablespoon sour cream mixture, 1 large tablespoon meat mixture, and a handful of cheese. Fill all 12 tortillas and fold in sides. Roll up and place, seam side down, in casserole dish. Put remaining sour cream mixture on top of filled tortillas and the rest of the enchilada sauce. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 35 minutes.

Panera's Cream Cheese Potato Soup

This is supposed to be a copycat recipe...I've never had Panera's soup, so I have no idea if it tastes the same, but it is good.

4 cups chicken broth

4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes

1/4 cup minced onion

1/2 tsp. seasoning salt

1/8 tsp. white pepper (original recipe calls for 1/4 tsp.)

1/8 tsp. ground red pepper (original recipe calls for 1/4 tsp.)

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, cut into small chunks

Combine broth, potatoes, onions, and spices.

Boil on medium heat until potatoes are tender.

Smash a few of the potatoes to release their starch for thickening.

Reduce to low heat and add cream cheese.

Heat, stirring frequently, until cheese melts. Serve.

Potato Logs

3 large (or 5 small) russet potatoes

1 Tblsp. vegetable oil

1 tsp. seasoned salt

1 tsp. parsley flakes

1 tsp. garlic salt

1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scrub, but don't peel, potatoes. Cut into thin wedges. Pour vegetable oil in 1 Ziploc bag. In a second Ziploc bag, combine seasoned salt, parsley flakes, garlic salt, and Parmesan cheese. Put a handful of potatoes into the sack with oil and shake to coat lightly. Transfer potatoes to the spice mixture and shake well. Place on a cookie sheet that has been coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake 45 minutes, until softened, browned, and crispy. Serve with sour cream or ketchup.

Finger-Lickin' Good

I got this recipe out of this recipe book called 52 weeks of recipes for picky kids ($4.99 at Seagull Book), and my kids LOVED it.

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 (10-12 oz.) bag plain, BBQ, or sour cream and onion potato chips (I used BBQ)

1 egg

2 Tblsp. milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut the chicken into finger-sized pieces. Fill a large Ziploc bag with the potato chips. Seal the bag and crush the chips very small with the back of a wooden spoon.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. Dip the chicken pieces into the egg and then add to the Ziploc bag and shake to coat. Remove chicken from the bag and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. Serve with BBQ sauce, salsa, or honey mustard.

Pancetta Pasta

1 cup mushrooms, sliced thin

1 lb. spaghetti

1/2 cup pancetta, diced

1 garlic clove

4 Tblsp. heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste

1 Tblsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. chopped fresh chives (optional)

Clean mushrooms and slice. Cook pasta to al dente. Saute pancetta, mushrooms, and garlic over medium heat for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add cooked pasta and cream. Stir over low heat until well mixed. Sprinkle with cheese and chives and serve.

Natalie's White Chicken Chili

This is a recipe from my sister-in-law...she has brought it to a few family functions, and it is always the first one gone!

3-4 chicken breasts, cubed

1 medium onion, chopped (or 1/2 cup dehydrated onion)

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

3 cans Great Northern white beans, rinsed and drained

1 can white beans (these are smaller than the Great Northern's), rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cans chicken broth

2 cans chopped green chilies

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I think I only did 1/8 tsp. because I don't like much spice)

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1 cup whipping cream

Put everything in the crock pot except the sour cream and whipping cream. Cook on low heat 8 hours or until chicken is cooked. The last half hour add the sour cream and whipping cream. Serve.

Sweet and Salty Salad Wrap

I got this recipe from Our Best Bites, and ate it ALL the time last summer!

baby spinach

cooked/shredded chicken (I use leftover rotisserie)

craisins

crumbled bacon (I use the crumbled Kirkland bacon from Costco)

feta cheese

poppyseed dressing (homemade or Brianna's)

Toss together the above ingredients, then wrap in a tortilla, pita, or flatbread wrap.

Perfect Baked Potato

1 Large Russett Potato

Oil (vegetable or canola)

Kosher salt (I use coarse sea salt)

Heat oven to 350 degrees and place racks in top and bottom thirds of the oven. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with cold water. Dry well, then poke 8 to 12 deep holes oll over it with a fork. Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil. Sprinkle with salt and place potato directly on the rack in the middle of the oven. Place a cookie sheet on lower rack to catch any drippings.

Bake one hour or until skin feels crisp, but skin underneath feels soft.

If you are cooking more than four potatoes, you may need to extend the cooking time by up to 15 minutes.

Perfect Corn on the Cob

This recipe is from Mel's Kitchen Cafe, which I love!

7-8 ears of corn, husked and silky threads removed

2 Tblsp. white sugar

2 Tblsp. white vinegar

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When boiling, add the sugar and vinegar and bring to a full boil again. Add the husked corn, submerging all the ears in the water the best that you can. Bring the water to a full boil again. This is important! It may take a few minutes for the water to come back to boiling temperature once the corn is added but let it come to a full boil before moving on. Once the water is at a full boil, cover the pot, remove from the heat and let the corn sit in the hot, steaming water for 10 minutes. (The corn can stay in the water for up to 20 minutes without becoming pithy and dry.)

Elise's Homemade Vanilla Granola

I got this recipe from favorite family recipes, and took it to a ward Christmas Party...I can't even remember now how many people asked for the recipe!

8 cups oats

2 cups sliced almonds

1 cup wheat germ

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

craisins or raisins, to taste (optional)

3/4 cup canola oil

1 cup honey

3 Tblsp. vanilla (the real stuff!!)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine first 8 ingredients (dry ingredients) in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine oil, honey, and vanilla and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then pour over oat mixture. Mix until all ingredients are moistened. Divide and spread mixture over 2 large cookie sheets and bake at 300 degrees for 20-30 minutes (I did it the full 30). Remove from oven and leave on pans until the granola hardens (it will be a little chewy when it comes out of the oven...if you don't like it chewy at all then let it dry on the cookie sheets completely before storing it...that's what I did because I like it pretty crunchy). Break up granola and store in large Ziploc bags or containers. Serve plain, with yogurt, or with milk.