316. Quick Crescent Pecan Pie

So this was so darn good. I am not a really a fan of pecans but I loved this. The kids were not crazy about it but the adults loved it!

*1 can of crescent rolls

filling
*1/2 cup chopped pecans
*1/2 cup sugar
*1/2 cup corn syrup
*1 TBSP melted butter
*1/2 tsp vanilla
*1 egg, beaten

Heat oven 350
Unroll dough,separate dough into 2 long rectangles
Place in 13x9 pan; press over bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides
Make sure to press the seals
Bake for 8 minutes
Meanwhile in a bowl mix everything together
Pour filling in crust
Bake for 18-22 minutes
Cool for an hour

317. Cheddar Cheese Bread

Yummy! The kids loved it!

*1 package yeast (2 tsp)
*3 cups bread flour
*1/4 cup dry milk
*1 TBSP butter
*1 tsp salt
*2 tsp sugar
*1 1/4 cup warm water
*1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

put in bread maker and press start

318. Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie

So this was easy to make and we all really liked it. Dave gave it a 9 out of 10. The kids really liked it too!

*3 cups chopped cooked chicken
*1 package frozen vegetable blend, thawed, drained
*1/2 lb Velveeta cheese cut into cubes
*1 can cream of chicken
*1 can crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 375
Combine first four ingredients in a baking dish
Unroll dough and place on top
Bake for 25 minutes (mine too longer for the dough to cook through)

272. Yukon Potatoes


I love yukon Potatoes and this just an easy way to make them

*2 lbs yukon potatoes
*2-3 TBSP olive oil
*salt and pepper
*1 tsp basil
*1 tsp garlic powder
*1 tsp oregano

Preheat oven 450
mix together and roast for 30 minutes



273. Cheese Dip


This was so easy. It was ok. Dave likes it more than I did and my kids would not touch it.

* 1 lb of Velveeta Cheese, cubed
*1 can rotel

Heat to melt cheese and stir


274. Apple Pie

It was no better than any recipe, so no need to type it out. To be honest I really like to use that canned Applie pie filling. I think its good and easy to make!!


275. Taco Soup

this was good. I am not going to lie and tell you that my kids loved it. They ate chicken nuggets!

*1 lb ground beef
*1 onion, chopped
*1 can kidney beans with liquid
*1 can chili beans with liquid
*1 can tomato sauce
*2 cups water
*2 cans peeled and diced tomatoes
* can diced green chile peppers
*1 packet taco seasoning

Brown the meat
Drain and pour into crock pot along with everything else
Cook on low for 6-8 hours


276. Chicken and dumplings


I made this one night when I did not have a lot of time and it was really good. The kids loved it. We loved it! No one had to sit in time out and that to me is a good night.

*1 whole chicken (to make this faster I just picked up a pre-cooked chicken
*5 carrots, peeled and cut until 1 inch pieces
*2-3 celery cut into 1/4 inch pieces
*2-3 cups chicken broth
*2 chicken bullion cubes
*1 bay leaf
*salt and peeper
*1 tube biscuits

Place the carrots and celery in a dutch oven and cover with broth.
Put the bay leaf and bullion in pot and season with salt and pepper
Cook for 30-45 minutes on a medium low heat or until carrots are soften
Carve the chicken and throw into dutch oven
Top with biscuits
Then I put it in the oven at 400 until the biscuits were cooked.

An easy take on chicken and dumplings!


277. Brownies


These were good if you like brownies. I am not a huge fan of brownies

*1/2 cup butter
*1 cup sugar
*1 tsp vanilla
*2 eggs
*1/2 cup flour
*1/3 cocoa powder
*1/4 tsp baking powder
*1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350
Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla
Add eggs and beat well
Stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt until blended
pour into a 9 inch square pan
Bake for 25 minutes


278. Pot Roast

This was good and the kid liked it. It a different twist on just a pot roast. I am sure that you can also make it in the crock pot

*1 beef roast (4-5 lbs)
*2 TBSP oil
*salt and pepper
*1 cup water
*1 can tomato sauce
*1 sliced onion
 *2 cloves garlic, minced
*2 TBSP brown sugar
*1/2 tsp dry mustard
*1/4 cup lemon juice
*1/4 cup vinegar
*1/4 cup ketchup
*1 TBSP worcestershire sauce
*dash of hot sauce

Heat oil in dutch oven and brown the meat on all sides
Sprinkle with salt and pepper
Add water, tomato sauce, onion and garlic
Cover and simmer for 2 hours
Add remaining ingredients, cover and cook for an 1 1/2 hours

October 14

261. Baked Cheese Cake

What is there to not like about cheese cake. This was easy and I just used a pre-made pie crust

Filling
*2 packages cream cheese, softened
*1 TBSP lemon juice
*3/4 cup sugar
*1/4 cup milk
*1/2 tsp vanilla
*2 eggs

Topping
*2 TBSP sugar
*1 cup sour cream
*1/2 tsp vanilla

Beat Cream cheese until fluffy
Gradually add in lemon juice, sugar, milk. salt and vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time
Pour into crust
Bake at 325 for 30 minutes
Mix the sugar, sour cream and vanilla and spread over
Bake for another 10 minutes
Chill for 5 hours

262. Brownies

You know to be honest....just buy the box mix. there was nothing special about these.

263. Meatloaf
*1 1/2 lb ground beef
*1 egg
*1 onion
*1 cup milk
*1 cup breadcrumbs
*salt and pepper
*2 TBSP brown sugar
*2 TBSP mustard
*1/3 cup ketchup

Preheat oven to 350
In a large bowl combine the beef, egg, onion, milk and breadcrumbs
Season with salt and pepper
Place in loaf pan
In a separate bowl mix brown sugar, mustard and ketchup together
Pour over top of meat
Bake for 1 hour

263. two cheese spaghetti bake

This was really good. The kids really liked it and it made enough for us to have lunch the next couple days. Eli did want to have hot dogs and candy when I told him what I was making. Oh well!! There is always tomorrow

*6 ounces spaghetti. broken into thirds
*1 lb ground beef
*1/4 cup chopped onion
*1 jar spaghetti sauce with mushrooms
*2 TBSP butter
*4 TBSP flour
*1/4 tsp salt
*3/4 evaporated milk
*1/3 cup water
*4 ounces process cheese, cubed
*2 TBSP parmesan cheese

Cook spaghetti in salted water
Brown the meat with onion, drain
Add sauce to meat and cook until boils
Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes
In a small saucepan, melt butter
Stir in flour and salt; gradually stir in water and milk
Bring to boil; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly
Add Process cheese and Parmesan cheese and stir until melted
Spread half the spaghetti mixture in baking pan
Spread cheese mixture over it and top with spaghetti
Bake for 30 minutes in 350 oven

264. over the top Mac n Cheese

This was good. I made this for my sweet husband because he was out of town for almost a week and when he came home he wanted Mac n Cheese! This was good and it reheated really well!

*16 ounces Elbow Macaroni
*2 ounces Muenster cheese
*1/2 cup milk cheddar, sharp cheddar, monterey jack cheeses
*1/2 cup butter
*2 cups half and half cream
*2 eggs
*1 cup process cheese
*salt and pepper

Cook pasta in salted water
In a bowl mix the cheeses and set aside
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat
Stir in cream, eggs, process cheese, salt and pepper and 1 1/2 cups cheese mixture
Drain pasta add cheese sauce and stir to coat
Transfer to baker and top with remaining cheese
Bake in a 350 oven for 40 minutes

265. slow cooker lemon chicken with potatoes and mushrooms

this was good. I was worried that it was not going to cook and I was worried that the potatoes would be hard but it was great. Everything was well cooked and yummy

*3-4 lb chicken
*2 cubes chicken bouillon
*1 lemon
*1/4 tsp paprika
*3 TBSP parsley
*1 onion cut into wedges
*2 cloves garlic, chopped
*2 TBSP soy sauce
*1/2 tsp salt
*1/4 tsp pepper
*8-12 Yukon potatoes
*6 ounces mushrooms

Rinse and dry the chicken
Make sure that you take out the giblets and neck
put one bouillon inside cavity
squeeze the lemon and set juice aside
place rinds in cavity
put chicken in slow cooker, breast side up
sprinkle with paprika and parsley
place onions and garlic around chicken
pour soy sauce and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper
crumble remaining bouillon cube over chicken
Top with potatoes and mushrooms
Cook on high for 4-5 hours

266. Ham and Cheese Crescents

When Dave was out of town and I made this for the kids. They loved them and it was easy to make. Things we all have sitting around

*1 can crescent rolls
*8 thinly sliced ham
*4 slices cheddar cheese

Heat oven 350
Separate dough into 8 triangles
Place ham and cheese onto dough and roll
Bake for 15-19 minutes

October 4

256. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

*4 cups sweet potatoes, cut into 1-2 in pieces
*1 TBSP paprika
*1 tsp garlic powder (I used 2)
*1 tsp onion powder
*1 tsp sugar
*1 tsp cumin
*1 tsp salt
*3 TBSP red wine vinegar or malt vinegar

Toss all this with the sweet potatoes
Cook in a 425 oven 30-45 minutes!!

257. Cola Pot Roast

Its cold outside. For those of you who live in the midwest maybe 62 is not cold, but it is for me!
So break out the crock pot

*2 lb pot Roast
*Dry onion soup mix
*dry gravy mix
*cream of whatever soup....I used mushroom
*1 can of coke

place all in crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours

258. award winning Chili

This is was good chili. We loved it. We even got the kids to eat a bowl. Elise tells us that she likes chili now!

*2 lb ground beef
*1/2 onion, chopped
*1 tsp pepper
*1/2 tsp garlic salt
*2 cups tomato sauce
*1 jar (8 onces) salsa, I used more
*4 TBSP chili seasoning
*1 can light kidney beans
*1 can dark kidney beans

Brown meat in a heavy pot with the onions over medium high heat
Drain meat
Add everything else into the pot with the drained meat
Cook over a low setting for an hour.(I covered it)



259. Corn bread

YUMMY! I would have made my own cornbread. It was easy to make and so good

*1 1/2 cup cornmeal
*2 1/2 cups milk
*2 cups flour
*1 TBSP baking powder
*1 tsp salt
*2/3 cup sugar
*2 eggs
*1/2 cup veg oil

Preheat oven to 400
In a small bowl combine the cornmeal and milk and let stand for 5 minutes
In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar
Mix in the cornmeal mixture, eggs and oil
Pour into 9x13
Bake for 30-35 minutes


260. Lemon Meringue pie

This was so good. I always thought it was harder to make than it is.

*1 cup  sugar
*2 TBSP flour
*3 TBSP cornstarch
*1/4 tsp salt
*1 1/2 cup water
*2 lemons, juiced and zested
*2 TBSP butter
*4 egg yolks beaten
*1 pie crust
*4 egg whites
*6 TBSP sugar

Preheat oven to 350
To make the lemon filing:
In a medium saucepan whisk the sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt
Stir in water, lemon juice and zest
Cook over medium high heat, always stirring until it comes to a boil
Add the butter
Place the yolks in little by little always stirring
Bring back to a boil and continue to cook until thick
Remove from heat and place in pie shell
To make meringue
Whip egg whites until foamy
Add the sugar and beat until they form stiff peaks
Spread over the pie and bake for 10 minutes

Sept 27

250. Honey Bun Cake

*yellow cake mix
*3/4 cup vegetable oil
*4 eggs
*1 cup sour cream
*1 cup brown sugar
*1 TBSP cinnamon

*2 cups powdered sugar
*4 TBSP milk
*1 TBSP vanilla

Preheat oven to 325
In a large bowl mix together cake mix, oil, eggs and sour cream
Stir about 50 strokes until the large lumps are out
Pour half into a pan, I used a bunt pan
Pour the brown sugar and cinnamon
Pour the half over it and then swirl it
Bake for 40 minutes
Frost while hot

To make frosting mix together powder sugar, milk and vanilla!

251. Honey Pecan Chicken

We had company over! This was a hit with everyone!

*2 skinless, boneless chicken breast
*1/4 tsp salt
*1/8 tsp pepper
*1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
*1 tsp minced garlic
*1 TBSP butter
*3 TBSP honey
*3 TBSP chopped pecans

Brown chicken in butter in non stick skillet
Add garlic and reduce heat to medium; cover and cook until cooked through
Drizzle with honey and sprinkle pecans

252. Mac and Cheese

so this was in a mag  that I read and I thought I would try it. It was ok. I was not overly in love with it. My daughter does not like Bacon. I know strange right! At least we made it through dinner with a guest without screaming and almost no crying!

*1/2 lb elbow mac
*3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 in pieces
*3 eggs
*12 on evaporated milk
*1/2 tsp salt
*1/2 tsp cayenne
*1/4 tsp nutmeg
*1 1/2 cup cheddar
*1 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese
*1/2 cup Parm cheese

Cook salt water and add noodles
Preheat oven to 475
cook bacon until its crispy
drain the noodles and add the bacon to the pot
mix together the eggs, milk, salt, cayenne, nutmeg and cheeses
pour into pan and bake until bubbling about 14 minutes

Sept 6

223. Chocolate Cake

It is a good basic cake that you can so a lot with! We all really liked it.

*1 package (18.25 ounces) devil's food cake mix with pudding
*1 cup sour cream
*1/2 cup vegetable oil
*3 large eggs


Mix together with a mixer
Spread in a 9x13 pan
Cook for 20-25 minutes at 350
Test with a tooth pick!!!


224. Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting


As our friend Jason said, It taste like a wendys frosty. and it does!


*1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
*8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
*1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
*1 teaspoon pure almond extract 
*4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted


Mix the first four together until creamy
Add the powdered sugar in slowly. 


225. Lasagna


It was good! I like the one I normally make more but oh well!


*1 lb ground beef
*1 lb sausage, out of casing
*1 small onion chopped
*2 cloves garlic minced

*box of lasagna noodles (you may not need the whole box)
*1 container of ricotta cheese
*1 tsp Italian season
*1 TBSP parsley 
*1 egg
*1 LB mozzarella
*1 cup parm cheese


Ground the sausage, beef, onion and garlic together
Either you can make your own sauce or use jarred. (tonight I used jarred sauce)
Mix sauce with drained meat
Mix the ricotta, egg, parsley, It. seasoning and salt and pepper together
In hot water soak the noodles for 15 minutes. (this way you dont have to cook them.)
In a pan layer meat and sauce, then noodles, then ricotta and top with cheese
Repeat until you have used everything. I only did two layers!




226. Garlic bread


*1 cup warm water
*1 TBSP butter
*1 TBSP fry milk powder
*1 TBSP sugar
*1 1/2 tsp salt
*1 1/2 TBSP parsley
*2 tsp garlic powder (I used more)
*3 cups bread flour
*2 tsp dry yeast


Place in bread maker, 1 1/2 lb loaf on basic cycle


227. Garlic butter


*1/2 cup butter
*1/2 tsp minced garlic, I used a little more
*1/8 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*2 tsp garlic salt
*1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
*1/4 tsp pepper
*pinch paprika


Mix together and serve with bread

212. Apple Pie

Ok, I did not make my own crust. I used to and then I discovered that Pillsbury Pie Crust. Its so good and I dont have to roll out dough...Which I hate to do. Once a year I make my Best friends, Shellys, Moms cookies and I have to roll those. So thank you Pillsbury! I bow to you for making this pie crust

*3/4 cup sugar
*2 TBSP flour
*3/4 tsp cinnamon
*1/4 ts salt
*1/8 tsp nutmeg
*1 TBSP lemon juice
*6 cups apples peeled sliced thin

Preheat oven to 425
Mix the first 5 things into the bowl and then add the lemon and apples
Pour into crust lined an
Top with second crust and seal, cut slits in the top
Cook for 40-45 minutes

August 26

207. Fluffy Peanut Butter frosting

This was so good. It tasted like a buckeye candy.

*1/2 cup butter, softened
*1 cup creamy peanut butter
*3 TBSP milk
*2 cups powdered sugar

Place peanut butter and butter in a bowl and mix
Gradually mix in sugar and incorporate milk
Beat for 3 minutes for it get fluffy.

208. Chocolate Cake

This was not my cup of tea because I am not a fan of chocolate but my family really liked it. Its really rich. Its goes well with the frosting.

*2 cups sugar
*1 3/4 flour
*3/4 cup cocoa powder
*1 1/2 tsp baking soda
*1 1/2 tsp baking powder
*1 tsp salt
*2 eggs
*1 cup milk
*1/2 cup vegetable oil
*2 tsp vanilla
*1 cup boiling water

Preheat over to 350
Grease cake pans
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder and soda and salt in a large borl
Add eggs, milk and vanilla; beat on medium for 2 minutes
Stir in boiling water, it will be think
Pour batter in pans
Bake for 30-35 minutes

209. Breaded Pork chops

We had this the other night and it was really good. Dave really liked the sauce, but he would eat anything that had cream cheese in it! ANYTHING. When Eli was a baby he called to tell me that Eli would not eat dinner. I asked what he gave our 11 month old child and he said, "a hunk of cream cheese and some crackers." Really?

*1 egg
*3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
*4 bone in pork chops
*1 container of chive and onion cream cheese (I used normal cream cheese and added chives)
*3 TBSP chicken broth
*2 TBSP milk

In a shallow bowl, beat the egg
Place the bread crumbs in another shallow bowl
Dip the chops into egg and then coat in crumbs
Bake uncovered at 350 for 25 minutes
In a small saucepan, combine the cream cheese, broth and milk
Stir for 5 minutes over medium heat or until smooth

210. Roasted Pork with onions and citrus

This was our Cuban night last night and man was this pork good. We all really enjoyed it. The kids ate without any fight.

*3 TBSP olive oil
*1 large white onion, diced
*1 head garlic chopped
*1 1/4 cup orange juice
*1/3 cup lime juice
*salt and pepper
*1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves
*1 boneless pork shoulder (3-4 lbs)

Preheat oven to 450
In a large skillet heat oil over medium high
Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 4 minutes
Add orange and lime juices and bring to a boil
Season with salt and pepper, stir in oregano, remove from heat
Pat pork and season with salt and pepper
Pour onion mixture over pork
Place in the bottom heavy oven proof pot.....dutch oven!!!
Roast uncovered for 30 minutes
Remove pot from oven and reduce oven to 350
Ladle onion mixture over pork
Cook for another hour and a half until temp is 155.
Ladle with mixture every 30 minutes

211. Cuban beans and rice

*2 TBSP olive oil
*1/4 onion diced
*1/4 bell pepper diced
*2 cloves garlic minced
*salt and pepper
*1/2 tsp cumin
*1 TBSP oregano
*t cup long grain rice
*1 can red kidney beans or black beans
*2 cups chicken broth

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat
Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and cook until soft about 4 minutes
Season with salt and pepper
Add cumin, oregano and rice
Stir and cook for 1 minute
Add beans and broth, stir, season with salt and pepper
Bring to boil, then cover
Reduce to a medium simmer and cook for 20 minutes

August 20

204. Bombshell Brownies

One of our dogs had a c section....yes you read that right. I wanted to thank my vet and the staff for taking care of our babies so I made these brownies. I got feedback that they were really good. 

*1 cup butter, melted

*3 cups white sugar

*1 TBSP vanilla 

*4 eggs

*1 1/2 cup flour

*1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp salt

*1 cup choc. chips

Preheat oven to 350

Combine butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl

Beat in eggs one at a time

Sift together flour, cocoa powder and salt

Gradually stir in flour mixture and beat until mixed

Blend in chocolate chips

Spread into baking pan (9x13)

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the toothpick comes out clean

August 16

201. BBQ Cheeseburger & rice

This sounded odd to me but the kids liked it. So I cant really complain. Plus it was easy and fast to make

*1lb ground beef
*1/2 cup chopped onion
*1 3/4 cup water
*1 cup BBQ sauce
*2 cups Instant white rice, uncooked
*1 cup cheddar cheese

Brown beef with onion, drain
Add water and BBQ and heat until boiling
Add rice and cook over low heat until rice is tender
Stir in cheese

202. Panna Cotta

What is it you ask? Its not something you see very often. Its an Italian cooked cream. Dave and I love it so much!
To celebrate after we got engaged Dave took me to the best place to eat. For dessert we had panna Cotta. Its a real Italian dessert and we love it. We later went to Italy on our honeymoon and ate it there. So I wanted to try to make it.
Its so good.

*1 packet gelatin
*3 TBSP water
*3 cups heavy cream
*1 cup milk
*1 cup sugar
*2 tsp vanilla

Apply thin coating over oil in ramekins
Into a small water add water and stir in gelatin
Set aside until softened
In a medium saucepan add cream, milk, sugar and vanilla
Stir while bringing to a simmer, do not let boil
Remove heat and stir in gelatin.
Stir for one minute
All mixture to cool for 20 minutes
Pour into ramekins and chill at least 6 hours
Remove and serve with seasonal fruit.

August 13

193. Baked sweet potatoes

*2 TBSP olive oil
*3 large sweet potoates
*2 pinches oregano
*2 pinches salt
*2 pinches pepper

Preheat oven to 350
Coat the bottom of baking dish with some oil, enough to cover it
Wash and peel sweet potatoes
Cut them into medium pieces
Place in baking dish
Season with salt, pepper and oregano
cook for 60 minutes

194. Tangy Slow cooker Pork Roast

*1 large onion, sliced
*2 and 1/2 lb boneless pork loin roast
*1 cup hot water
*1.4 cup white sugar
*3 TBSP red wine vinegar
*2 TBSP soy sauce
*1 TBSP ketchup
*1/2 tsp salt
*1/4 tsp garlic
*1 dash hot pepper sauce

Arrange onion evenly over the bottom of slow cooker
Place Roast on top onion
In a bowl mix water, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, salt and pepper, garlic and hot sauce; pour over roast
Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low

195. Red Velvet Cake

*2  1/2 cup flour
*1 1/2 white sugar
*1 cup vegetable oil
*1 tsp baking soda
*1 tsp white vinegar
*1 tsp vanilla
*2 eggs
*1 cup buttermilk
*2 onces red food coloring
*1 package cream cheese, softened
*1/2 cup butter, softened
*4 cups powdered sugar
*1 tsp vanilla

Preheat over to 350
Grease 3 round pans (I made a sheet cake)
In a large bowl mix sugar, oil and egs
Add food coloring and vinegar to buttermilk
Add baking soda to flour
Add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture alternately to the sugar mixture
Mix well and stir in vanilla
Bake for 20-25 minutes
When cake is cook; mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla and ice cake.

196. Crusted Pork

This was so good. We had it last night and it was really good. I had never had a coating stick this well. It was good.

*1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
*2 eggs
*1 cup flour
*1 pork tenderloin
*salt and pepper

Cook the breadcrumbs for 8-10 minutes in a 350 oven, they will turn brown
Raise oven to 400
Cut the pork into pieces
Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish
In another dish beat the 2 eggs
In another dish place the flour
Coat the pork in flour
Then dip in egg and coat in breadcrumbs
Cook until temp is 160, or whatever done level you like in pork

yesterday again.

191. Lemonade Pie

My friend sent me this recipe and its so good. However I need to tell you that it will make 2 pies!

1- 12oz can evaporated milk
2- 3.4 oz packages lemon instant pudding mix
1- Tbs. Lemon zest (1 lemon will do two pies)
2- 8oz packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1- 12oz can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1- 9inch ready made graham cracker pie crust

Garnish:
crushed lemon drop candies
thawed frozen whipped topping
----------------------------------------------
 Whisk together evaporated milk, pudding mix, and lemon zest in a bowl for 2 minutes or until mixture is thickened.
 In separate bowl. Beat cream cheese and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. 
Add lemonade concentrate, beating until smooth; add milk mixture, and beat until blended. 
Pour into crust. 
Cover and chill 8 hrs or until firm. 
Dollop each slice with whipped topping.
Garnish if desired.
--Makes 8 servings-- 

July 24

174. Caesar dressing

Ok...I have to tell you something. Its no better than the stuff you  buy in the bottle. I remember when Dave and I went to Italy and I thought that the pasta was going to be awesome. Don't get me wrong it was good but you can buy pasta as good at your local grocery store. Same with this. It was not good enough to go through the trouble to make it yourself

*1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
*1/4 cup reduced fat mayo
*1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
*2 anchovy, chopped
*1 small garlic cloved

Mix in a blender until smooth

175. Croutons

Now these on the other hand were really good and way cheaper to make than buying them at the store. Plus it was easy

*4 ounces Italian bread, cut in 1/4 inch cubes
*2 TBSP olive oil
*salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375
Place bread on cookie sheet and drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper
Toss and bake for 12-15 minutes

176. Pistachio Ice Cream

I will tell you that this is my favorite flavor. I love the Ben and Jerrys! This was so darn good. Even the kids liked it.

*2 cups heavy cream
*1 cup whole milk
*1 cup chopped pistachios
*1 cup sugar
*1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix and place in an ice cream machine.
turn on for 20-25 minutes

July 22

171. Lime Sorbet

Yummy. Its nice and refreshing on a hot summer night. Plus any reason to use the ice cream maker

*3 cups whole milk
*1 cup limeaid concentrate, thawed
*3 TBSP sugar

Mix and place in ice cream maker
Mix in Ice cream maker for 25-30 minutes

172. Roasted Pork

This had a kick to it. I gave the end pieces to the kids so it was not too spicy for them. this was ok. It was nothing to really knock your socks off.

*1-1/2 LB pork tenderloin
*salt and pepper
*1 TBP paprika
*1 tsp thyme
*1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
*1 TBSP veg. oil

Preheat oven to 450
Combine the spices in a small bowl
Coat pork with the veg. oil and sprinkle with the spices
Place pork on a baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes

173. Black-eyed pea salad

This was really good. It was not a huge hit with the kids but I would have been more shocked if they liked it. They did eat a couple bites a piece!

*1 tsp Dijon mustard
*2 TBSP cider vinegar
*2 TBSP veg oil
*1 can black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
*1 package frozen corn, thawed
*1 red bell pepper, finely diced
*2 scallions, thinly sliced
*salt and pepper

Whisk mustard, oil and vinegar together
Add all the veggies and toss
Season with salt and pepper.

July 6

163. Brownies/cheescake


We have not tasted these yet. I was told that they are better at room temp and so we are waiting for them to cool. This is a recipe my friend Amanda told me about. They smell wonderful

Crust
*1 box cake (I used white)
*1 stick butter melted
*1 egg
Mix together and pat firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 pan.


topping
*8 on cream cheese, softened
*1 box powdered sugar
*2 eggs

Mix the above, with a mixer and pour over crust
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes
It will et in 30 minutes.
Eat at room temp.


164. Beef stir fry

I can not even tell you how wonderful and EASY this was. we have had a busy weekend having a child with a fourth of July birthday. So Today I needed to make something easy.

*1 TBSP soy sauce
*1 tsp rice vinegar
*1 tsp sugar
*3/4 lb New York Strip (I used more like a 1 lb) Thinly sliced
*1 TBSP vegetable oil
*1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch lengths
*6 ounces snap peas
*1 clove garlic, minced
*1 TBSP ginger
*cooked rice

In a small bowl combine soy sauce, vinegar and sugar
Season steak with salt and pepper
In a large skillet heat the oil over high heat
Cook steak, undisturbed, for about 2 minutes
Flip and cook for about 30 seconds
Transfer to bowl
Add asparagus, snap peas, garlic and ginger to skillet
Cook, stirring constantly, until veggies are crisp tender about 4 minutes
Add soy mixture and cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds
Remove skillet from heat and stir in beef
Serve over rice.

just sad....

153. Smores

Now I know that you may be rolling your eyes and wondering what in the world. For fathers day we got Dave a fire bowl and fixing for smores. So we ate dinner and 4 adults were talking about how to make smores. Not one of us knew. My mother claimed to know but since she NEVER COOKS ANYTHING, no one believed her. So I get my cell phone out and google. Isn't that sad? So I laughed that I had to include it.

*1 large marshmallow
*1 graham cracker
*1 (1.5 ounce) bar chocolate candy bar

Heat the marshmallow over an open flame until it begins to brown and melt.
Break the graham cracker in half.
Sandwich the chocolate between the cracker and the hot marshmallow.
Allow the marshmallow to cool a moment before eating.

Now to cook the marshmallows my husband used WOODEN skewers. My mother pointed out that it was looking with match sticks.
I had to laugh.

june 10

145. Fresh Lemon sorbet

This is really good. Its very refreshing when its hotter than anyone can stand. Even Elise liked it. It can be tart...be warned
Its very easy to make

*2 cups sugar
*2 cups water
*1 1.2 cup lemon juice
*1 TBSP lemon zest

Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat
Reduce heat to low and simmer until sugar dissolves about 4 minutes
Cool completely (either put in fridge overnight or put in pan in an ice bath for 30 minutes to cool)
When cool, add the lemon juice and zest; stir to combine
Pour into ice cream maker and turn on for about 30 minutes

146. Beef Tortilla Casserole

We went to our friends Jason and Alica for dinner and they break out a gift wrapped in Christmas paper! It was a book of casseroles. Funny story... On my first date with my sweet husband he said to me, "my favorite food is casseroles" Really? Not steak or something manly, but casseroles. I looked at him and said "Are you like 80 and named Edna?" one year later we were married. I have made many casseroles! So, thank you Loopers for some more casseroles to make.

*2 lb ground beef
*1 med. onion, chopped
*1 bottle taco sauce
*6 corn tortillas, halved and cut into 1 inch strips
*2 cups sour cream
*1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
*1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Now I want to point that you should make this is the darn MICROWAVE. I refused and I made Dave make it once I got everything together. We ended up making it together but not in the microwave.

Ground the beef with the onion
Stir in taco sauce and tortillas
Layer the mixture, sour cream and cheeses
Repeat the layers
Cook in 350 oven.
we cooked for about 20 minutes

147. Maple Glazed Beef

This was so-so. I thought it was a bit odd but we all ate it. I mean no one threw it away. It has chinese five spice and that is sorta odd to me. Its taste like Christmas. Dont ask!!!

*1 cup maple syrup
*1/2 cup cider vinegar
*2 TBSP soy sauce
*1 tsp Chinese five spice
*1 tsp red pepper flakes
*1 1/2 flank steak
*2 TBSP corn starch

In a bag mix together syrup, vinegar, soy sauce, five spice, pepper flakes and add the steak
Marinade for one hour
Pour our the marinade and into a saucepan and mix in the corn starch
Cook over high heat until boils.
Boil for 3 minutes or until thickened
Grill over high heat, brushing with the sauce
Serve sliced

148. Garlic Roasted Potatoes

this was awesome!

*2 1/2 lb small new potatoes
*8 cloves garlic, halved
*1/4 cup olive oil
*coarse salt and pepper
*1/4 cup lemon juice
*2 TBSP parsley flakes

Preheat over to 425
In a large roasting pan, toss the potatoes, garlic, oil, salt and pepper
Roast for 30-40 minutes
Remove to large bowl; toss with lemon juice and parsley

139. Potato Salad

*2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch chunks
*1 cup Real Mayonnaise
*2 tablespoons vinegar
*1 1/2 teaspoons salt
*1 teaspoon sugar
*1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1 cup thinly sliced celery
*1/2 cup chopped onion
*2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped (optional)

Cover potatoes with water in 4-quart saucepot; bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Drain and cool slightly.
Combine Real Mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, sugar and pepper in large bowl.
Add potatoes, celery, onion and eggs and toss gently.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.

I used my new favorite things in the world...fingerling potatoes. We love them and they sell them at Costco for not that much money.


140. sweet slaw

*1 (16 ounce) bag coleslaw mix
*2 tablespoons diced onion
*2/3 cup creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip™)
*3 tablespoons vegetable oil
*1/2 cup white sugar
*1 tablespoon white vinegar
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

Combine the coleslaw mix and onion in a large bowl.
Whisk together the salad dressing, vegetable oil, sugar, vinegar, salt, and poppy seeds in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly.
Pour dressing mixture over coleslaw mix and toss to coat.
Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

141. Boston Baked Beans

Trust me....Go out and buy the Bushs Baked Beans. This was a pain in the butt to make and it took forever. My darn oven has been on all day cooking these things. Just go get the can and a can opener and throw them in a bowl.

*2 cups navy beans
*1/2 pound bacon
*1 onion, finely diced
*3 tablespoons molasses
*2 teaspoons salt
*1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
*1/2 cup ketchup
*1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
*1/4 cup brown sugar

Soak beans overnight in cold water.
Simmer the beans in the same water until tender, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
Drain and reserve the liquid.
Preheat oven to 325
Arrange the beans in a 2 quart bean pot or casserole dish by placing a portion of the beans in the bottom of dish, and layering them with bacon and onion.
In a saucepan, combine molasses, salt, pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.
Bring the mixture to a boil and pour over beans.
Pour in just enough of the reserved bean water to cover the beans.
Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
Bake for 3 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until beans are tender.
Remove the lid about halfway through cooking, and add more liquid if necessary to prevent the beans from getting too dry.

142. Cheesecake Brownies

This was good. You only need a little piece because its so rich.

Cheese Cake
*1/4 cup cornstarch
*1/2 cup sugar
*3 packages of soften cream cheese
*3 large eggs
*3/4 cup sour cream
*2/3 cups milk
*1 tsp vanilla

Brownie....I am not going to lie. I used a box mix and it was just as good. With all the cooking I did today I just did not want to make brownies from scratch!

Heat the oven to 350
Make the cheese cake by mixing the cornstarch and sugar until blended
Beat in cream cheese until smooth
Beat in eggs, sour cream and milk until its smooth
Then mix in the vanilla

Pour the browning mix into the pan
Top with cheesecake mix
Cook for 1 hour and 5 minutes...Mine cooked faster
cook completely before cutting.
Top with fruit.

May 30

135. Strawberry Cake

I had a huge thing of Strawberries that would have gone bad so I found a recipe for a cake. It was really good and really strawberry tasty!

*1 package strawberry cake mix or white cake mix
*1 package strawberry jello
*4 TBSP flour
*1 cup vegetable oil
*1/2 cup sugar
*1/2 cup whole milk
*4 eggs
*1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 350
Spray three 9 inch cake pans
Mix in a mixer on low for 1 minute
Scrape the sides and mix for 2 minutes on medium
Pour into pans and bake for 33-35 minutes
Allow to cool before icing

136. Strawberry Icing

*1 stick soften butter
*4 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
*1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries with juice

Mix and ice the cake.

Goes with the cake. It was good but I would go with a cream cheese icing for the cake next time. It was almost too much!

137. Chicken with Red Pepper sauce

*2 cloves garlic, peeled
*2 bell peppers, quartered, lengthwise, ribs and seeds removed
*1 TBSP red wine vinegar
*3 TBSP olive oil
*3 TBSP water
*coarse salt and pepper
*4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

Heat the grill to medium
Wrap the garlic in foil and grill until soft (10-15 minutes)
Meanwhile grill the peppers, skin down until charred, 6-8 minutes
Let peppers and garlic cool slightly
Remove skin for peppers; squeeze the garlic from skins
In a blender combine garlic, peppers, vinegar, 2 TBSP olive oil, and water; season with salt and pepper
Blend until emulsified, add some more water is needed
Rub chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
Grill chicken until browned on both sides 5-8 minutes per side
Serve with sauce!

This was good if you liked Red bell peppers. Dave thinks that it needed a pop of heat but I liked it as is. The kids thought that the sauce was gross and then got ranch to finish off their chicken. I almost made those potatoes on the grill and they are so good. The ones in the tin foil packet. Yummy!

138. Home Style Mac and cheese

This is the best Mac and Cheese I have tried yet.

*7 ounces macaroni
*1/4 cup butter
*3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
*2 cups milk
*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon black pepper
*2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
*2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

*1 cup dry bread crumbs
*2 tablespoons butter
*2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Add macaroni pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in flour.
Cook for about 1 minute, until smooth and bubbly; stirring occasionally.
Mix in milk, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard.
Continue cooking until sauce is thickened.
Add cooked macaroni and Cheddar cheese.
Pour into 2 quart casserole dish.
In small bowl mix together bread crumbs, butter and parsley; spread over macaroni and cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and heated through.

133. Marshmallow Fluff Cheesecake

Today is Elis last day of school and when I asked what he wanted for dinner he told me cheesecake. I dont know where he got that and I am not sure he ever had cheesecake before. So since I still had one of the marshmallow fluff left I thought this was perfect. It smells great. The filling tasted good!

*24 onces Cream cheese, softened
*1 container of fluff
*2 eggs
*3 TBSP flour
*9 inch graham cracker crust

Mix together and pour into crust
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes
Turn oven off and crack open the door for an hour

134. Real Italian Calzones

This was really good. I have a lot of respect for those ladies who make dough everyday! It was messy and not that easy. It was really good.

*1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
*1 cup warm water
*1 tablespoon olive oil
*1 teaspoon white sugar
*1 teaspoon salt
*2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
*1 teaspoon olive oil
*1/2 cup ricotta cheese
*1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
*1/2 cup diced pepperoni
*1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
*1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
*1 egg, beaten

To Make Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water.
Add the oil, sugar and salt; mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth.
Gradually stir in the rest of the flour, until dough is smooth and workable.
Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is elastic.
Lay dough in a bowl containing 1 teaspoon olive oil, then flip the dough, cover and let rise for 40 minutes, or until almost doubled.

To Make Filling: While dough is rising, combine the ricotta cheese, Cheddar cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms and basil leaves in a large bowl.
Mix well, cover bowl and refrigerate to chill.
Preheat oven to 375
When dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into 2 equal parts.
Roll parts out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface.
Fill each circle with 1/2 of the cheese/meat filling and fold over, securing edges by folding in and pressing with a fork.
Brush the top of each calzone with egg and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.
Serve hot.