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Monday, August 12, 2013

Changes Are Coming...

Hello, my friends!

Thank you for all of your attention to the posts that I've created on this blog. I have enjoyed creating those posts so that we can ALL pin these great recipes and ideas to Pinterest.

But I've just never been happy with the name of the blog. So, I have created another blog, one with a name more aptly fitting: http://nowyoucanpinit.blogspot.com/

So, since "I Can't Pin It!", I've worked so that "Now You Can Pin It!" ;)

Hope to see and hear from you over there!!

--Stacie

Friday, August 9, 2013

Adorable Shoe Cupcakes



Aren't they adorable!!
My friend is making these for her daughter's B'day party this weekend. They girls are going to love it!!

This is so easy!
For all the Bakers--Beginners or Experts!

The heels are made with Pirouette cookies, soles with Milano cookies and then your own homemade cupcakes.

French Toast Roll-Ups



FRENCH TOAST ROLL-UP'S
What a great way to change the way your morning starts!

Source: inspired from Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice
taken from "the girl who ate everything" website!

Ingredients

8 slices white sandwich bread
softened cream cheese, diced strawberries, or Nutella
2 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon
butter, for greasing the pan

Instructions

Cut the crust from each slice of bread and flatten it out with a rolling pin.
Place about 1-2 teaspoons of your chosen filling 1 inch from one end of the bread in a strip. Roll the bread up tightly and repeat with the remaining pieces of bread. I really like cream cheese with diced strawberries as one combination and Nutella with diced strawberries as another combination.
In a shallow bowl whisk the eggs and milk until well combined.
In a separate shallow bowl mix the sugar with the cinnamon.
Heat a skillet set over medium heat and melt a tablespoon of butter.
Dip each bread roll in the egg mixture coating well and then place them in the pan seam side down. Cook in batches until golden brown, turning them to cook and brown on all sides. Add butter to the pan as needed.
Add cooked rolls immediately from the pan to the cinnamon sugar and roll until completely covered in sugar. You can serve with syrup for dipping but I think they're perfectly good all by themselves.

Pecan Cake Bars


Pecan Cake Bars

For crust:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt

For topping:

1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9x13-inch pan with foil, leaving enough for a 2-inch overhang on all sides.

First make the crust by creaming together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add in the flour and salt and mix until crumbly.

Press the crust into the foil-lined pan and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

While the crust bakes, prepare the filling by combining the butter, brown sugar, honey and heavy cream in a saucepan and stirring it over medium heat. Simmer the mixture for 1 minute, then stir in the chopped pecans.

Remove the crust from the oven and immediately pour the pecan filling over the hot crust spreading it to cover the entire surface.

Return the pan to the oven and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Remove the pan and allow the bars to fully cool in the pan.

Use the foil overhang to lift out the bars and transfer them to a cutting board. Peel off the foil, slice into bars and serve.

Chili Rellenos Casserole



Chili Rellenos Casserole

1 lb.ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cans whole green chilies
1 can green chiles, chopped
1 cup shredded cheese
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup flour
red pepper

~ Directions: Preheat oven to 375. Brown meat and onion. Add salt and pepper and about 1 T. of red pepper. In a casserole dish, place whole green chiles on the bottom.

Top with cheese, then meat.
Add another layer of grated cheese and then the can of chopped green chilies. Mix 4 eggs and milk. Add flour, mix well and pour over dish.

Bake at 375 for about 50 minutes. Cover with foil halfway through cooking if it gets too brown

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Easy Homemade Chocolate Turtle Cake



Easy Homemade Chocolate Turtle Cake
This looks amazing and enjoy in moderation 
Ingredients
1 cup chocolate chips
2 cups pecans
3/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 (14 ounce) bags caramels
1 1/3 cups water ( or as called for by your cake mix)
1/3 cup oil ( or as called for by your cake mix)
3 eggs ( or as called for by your cake mix)
1 (18 ounce) boxes German chocolate cake mix

Directions
Prepare cake mix as directed.

Pour 1/2 of the batter in a 13x9 inch pan.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Remove and let cool.

In a double boiler, add carmels, milk and butter and stir constantly till melted.

Pour melted carmel over cooling cake.

Sprinkle on top 1 cup of pecans& chocolate chips.

Pour remaining batter on top and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Enjoy

Zucchini Cornbread Casserole


Zucchini Cornbread Casserole

INGREDIENTS:
4 cups shredded zucchini
1 onion, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1 (8.5 ounce) package dry corn muffin mix
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 ounces low fat Cheddar cheese, shredded


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
In a large bowl mix together the zucchini, onion, eggs, muffin mix, salt and pepper. Stir in 4 ounces of the cheese. Spread this mixture into a greased 2 quart casserole dish; top with remaining 4 ounces of cheese.
Bake in a preheated oven for 60 minutes.
Makes 8 servings 231 calories 

80 Totally Awesome Uses for Coconut Oil


 80 TOTALLY AWESOME USES FOR COCONUT OIL 

Be sure to buy organic coconut oil. Most Walmarts carry it on the aisle with the other cooking oils (it's less than $7 at mine), also health stores should have them as well.
Personal Hygiene/Body:

1. Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face.
2. Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
3. Preshave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
4. Aftershave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores.
5. Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!
6. Hair Conditioner/Deep Treatment - use as a leave in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest! For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.
7. Hair Gel/Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).
8. Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.
9. Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!
10. Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!
11. Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!
12. Lubricant – it is an all natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!
13. Sunscreen
14. Stretch Mark Cream – coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help.
15. Nipple Cream – works great to nourish cracked, sore, or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.
16. Diaper salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.
17. Cradle cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.
18. Body scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
19. Healing - when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.
20. Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.
21. Skin problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
22. Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.
General Health and Wellness
23. Stress Relief - relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.
24. Digestion - the saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.
25. Fitness - coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle.
26. Nose bleeds - coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme hotness and extreme coldness. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding.
27. For breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich your milk supply.
28. Helps with weight loss & controlling cravings.
29. Helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with cravings in those with diabetes.
Health Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when taken internally)
30. Eczema – in addition to taking it internally, many have success applying it externally, some don't
31. Skin problems
32. Toenail fungus
33. Hot flashes
34. Bleeding hemorrhoids (can also be applied externally twice a day)
35. HIV
36. Head lice
37. Improvements in menstruation regarding pain/cramps and heavy blood flow
38. Migraines (with regular use)
39. Mononucleosis
40. Parasites
41. Thrush
42. Relieve gallbladder pain
43. Has helped some people improve symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, results have shown subsequent thyroid blood tests becoming normal
44. Energy boost
45. Flaky, dry skin
46. May relieve acid reflux and indigestion when taken with each meal
47. Adrenal fatigue
48. Alzheimers
49. H. pylori
50. Candida albicans
51. Asthma, even in children
52. Autism
53. Cholesterol - improves HDL ('good' cholesterol) to LDL ('bad' cholesterol) ratio in people with high cholesterol
54. Chronic fatigue
55. Circulation/feeling cold all the time
56. Stronger immune system
57. Mental Clarity
58. Depression
59. Helps with inflammation in Crohns
Health Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when applied topically)
60. Athletes foot
61. Back pain/sore muscles
62. Canker sores
63. Acne
64. Cellulite
65. Herpes (applied topically and taken internally)
66. Genital warts (through topical application over 6 weeks, and coconut oil enemas twice a day depending on the location of the warts)
67. Circumcision healing – although I am personally against circumcision, I have read that coconut oil is a really great healer for this.
Cooking
68. Use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing other oils/butter in recipes with coconut oil.
69. Replacement for butter/lard/Crisco/PAM in it’s solid form – greasing pans, pie crusts, etc.
70. Replacement for various oils in liquid form – baking, cooking, sautéing, etc.
71. Nutritional supplement – melt and add to smoothies.
Other Uses
72. Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with Deet! Tons safer too.
73. Great for dogs and cats for general wellness. Just add a teaspoon to their water bowl daily.
74. Goo Gone - just mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a paste. Apply to the “sticky” area and let it set for a minute. Then scrub off with an old toothbrush or the scrubby side of a sponge.
75. Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out!
76. Polish Furniture - coconut oil with a little bit of lemon juice to polish wood furniture. However, I recommend you test it first on a very small, unobtrusive part of your furniture to make sure it works the way you’d like.
77. Polishing Bronze - all you have to do is rub a little oil into a cotton towel and then wipe down the statue. It cleans and helps deepen the color of your bronze.
78. Seasoning animal hide drums
79. Seasoning cookware
80. Moisturizing and cleaning leather products

Single-Serving Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie


FOR THOSE DAYS WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE COOKIE! 

1 tbsp butter melted
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 drops of vanilla
pinch of salt
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp chocolate chips

 MICROWAVE 40-60 SEC IN A CUP OR BOWL... Single serving deep dish chocolate chip cookie!

Crazy Good Casserole


Crazy Good Casserole

4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 strips of quality bacon – cooked and crumbled
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1 box (16 ounces) dried spiral pasta
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook and crumble bacon. While bacon is cooking, cut chicken into bite-sized chunks. Set cooked bacon aside for later use. In the same pan, cook chicken in bacon drippings. Add garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.

While chicken is cooking, prepare pasta according to directions. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400.

Drain pasta, return to pot. Add chicken, both cans of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese – stir to mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish.
Top with crumbled bacon.
Top with remaining cup of Monterrey Jack cheese.
Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes, just until cheese is melted and beginning to brown on top.

Brookies


BROOKIES!!!!

1 scoop of brownie batter + 1 scoop of cookie dough in a muffin pan = brookies!

the idea (and photo) came from Williams-Sonoma who make this and sell it as a Baking Mix called Baked Brookster .... well they charge $16.95 for a box!!!! I got my ingredients for under $3!


Make brownie and cookie mixes according to box directions, put brownie mix in each well of your pan then drop cookie dough on top. Bake as directed on box BUT start checking about half way through the directed time so your brownies stay moist (remember they are a smaller cook area when made as a muffin size and it will vary a little for each oven)

Turtle Cheesecake Bars



Turtle Cheesecake Bars

Turtle Cheesecake
Crust
3 cups finely chopped pecans
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cheesecake Filling
24 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 large eggs
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Toppings
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
1 11-oz bag caramel candy, unwrapped
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoons milk, divided

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Line a 13x9 pan with parchment paper, so that parchment extends over long side of pan.
In a bowl, mix crust ingredients together with a fork; press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.
Bake crust for 20 minutes; while crust bakes, prepare filling.
Cream together cream cheese, yogurt or sour cream, sugar and vanilla.
Beat in eggs, one at a time.
After crust bakes, remove from oven and immediately sprinkle on 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Pour filling over chocolate chips and return to oven; bake for 50 minutes.
Allow cheesecake to cool for about hour, then place in refrigerator to chill overnight.
When ready to serve, remove cheesecake from pan using parchment paper and place on serving platter, then prepare toppings:
Toast pecans in oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Unwrap caramels and place in a microwave safe bowl, along with 4 tablespoons milk.
Microwave in 30 second intervals until caramels have melted and sauce is smooth.
Pour caramel sauce over cheesecake and immediately sprinkle on toasted and chopped pecans.
Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, along with 2 tablespoons milk, and microwave in 30 second intervals, about 2 minutes total.
Stir until smooth and drizzle over caramel-pecan topping.
Allow chocolate to set before serving.

Caramel Apples


Do u love caramel apples but hate trying to eat them? Try it this way! (found this and could not keep it to myself!! I can't wait to try it!) Hollow out ur apples, (u can balance the apple halves in a muffin pan) fill will melted caramel, let the caramel harden and cut into slices!  yummy!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake


This would be great this fall!!!
Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Ingredients:
•1 box yellow cake mix
•1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
•1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
•3 large eggs
•1 1/2 cups sugar
•1 tsp. cinnamon
•1/2 tsp. salt
•1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (the original recipe called for 1/2 cup)
•1 cup butter, melted

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom of 9 x 13″ pan. Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour mixture into greased pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture and top with pecans. Drizzle melted butter over pecans. Bake 50-55 minutes.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Oven-Baked Zucchini Fries



Oven-Baked Zucchini Fries

makes approximately 8 servings
Ingredients
3 zucchini (1 lb.)
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 packet Shake & Bake Coating Mix
1 small egg

Method:

Heat oven to 450ºF.

Trim the zucchini -cut crosswise in half, then cut each piece into 1/4-inch sticks. Add cheese to coating mix in shaker bag; shake gently to combine.
Whisk egg in medium bowl. Add zucchini; toss to coat. Use tongs to place 1/4 of the zucchini in shaker bag; close bag and shake to evenly coat. Spread onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Repeat with remaining zucchini.
Bake for 12 to 13 min. or until golden brown, turning the baking tray 180 degrees after 7 min to facilitate even baking.

Dr Oz’s 7-Layer Fat-Fighting Dip


Dr. Oz’s 7-Layer Fat-Fighting Dip

I love a good dip and this one has health benefits too!

Ingredients:
4 cups shredded lettuce
3 medium ripe avocados mashed and mixed with 2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 cup Greek yogurt mixed with 1 package low-sodium taco seasoning mix
1 can black beans
3 medium diced tomatoes
2 cans sliced olives
8 oz 2% cheddar cheese

Directions:
Starting with the lettuce on the bottom of a bowl, add each layer on top of the next, ending with sprinkling the cheese on top. Alternate one celery stick with each whole grain chip to cut your calories in half.

French Toast Bake



 FRENCH TOAST BAKE 

Ingredients
1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
1 loaf Texas toast
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions
1. Melt butter in microwave & add brown sugar....stir till mixed.
2. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan....spread around
3. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla
4. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan
5. Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer
6. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast
7. Spoon on remaining egg mixture
8. Cover & chill in fridge overnight
9. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (covered for the first 30 minutes)
10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar
11. Serve with warm maple syrup

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball


Peanut Butter “Cheese Ball”
Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (not all-natural)
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter chips
Graham cracker sticks, teddy grahams, and/or apple slices for dipping

Instructions:
Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until blended.
Spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap; bring up all four corners and twist tightly forming into a ball shape.
Freeze for 1 hour 30 minutes or until firm enough to keep its shape. Place peanut butter and chocolate chips in flat dish. Remove plastic wrap from ball and roll ball
into morsels to completely cover, pressing morsels into the ball if necessary.
Place ball on serving dish; cover and freeze for 2 hours or until almost firm. (Can be made ahead. If frozen overnight, thaw at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.) Serve with graham cracker sticks, teddy grahams, or apple slices for dipping or spreading.

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chicken



This Chicken is TO DIE FOR!!! You Gotta Try it!!! Sooo Tender & Juicy!

...MELT IN YOUR MOUTH CHICKEN

And it's Healthy...So much better than fried!!!

1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup Greek yogurt -plain
1 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Spread mixture over chicken breasts, bake at 375 degrees for 45 mins--Absolutely Delish!

Sweet Hawaiian Slow Cooker Chicken



SWEET HAWAIIAN CROCK-POT CHICKEN

2lb. Chicken tenderloin chunks
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce

Chicken Chile Relleno Casserole



CHICKEN CHILI RELLANO CASSEROLE

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1-1/2lbs cooked, cut up chicken. (place chicken in crockpot with a cup of verde sauce cooked on high for 4 hrs and shredded)
6-8 Pasilla chili’s, roasted, skinned and seeded. ( you can use 2 cans of whole green chili’s if you like)
1 lb of shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 lb shredded Monterey jack cheese
1/4lb of pepper jack cheese
1 can evaporated milk
4 eggs
2 TBSp flour
2 tsp of salt

In a 9×13 casserole dish. Place a layer of green chili’s. Add chicken on top of chili’s.Top with shredded cheese (about half of your mixed cheese) Add a layer of chili’s on top of cheese. In a bowl beat eggs, evaporated milk, salt and flour. Pour on top chili layers. Top with the rest of cheese. Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes or until done. Let rest 5 minutes before cutting!!

Blueberry Lime Cream Cheese Pound Cake



Blueberry Lime Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
4 oz PHILADELPHIA cream cheese, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lime zest
1 cup fresh blueberries

PHILADELPHIA cream cheese frosting:
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and butter the parchment paper as well. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In stand mixer, beat together cream cheese, butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing each time. Add vanilla extract and lime zest, mixing until combined.

Pour flour mixture over the batter mixture. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour until it’s completely mixed in and there are no pockets of dry flour. Lastly, gently fold in the blueberries.

Transfer batter to prepared baking loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let sit until cool, at least 30 minutes and then remove from pan.

In a stand mixer or large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth. Beat in vanilla extract.

Carefully frost on top of the cooled pound cake and store in fridge until ready to serve.

Illegal Cheese Danish



We found this recipe and it had no name...

I only know it should be illegal!!!

Ingredients:
-2 cans Pillsbury butter crescent rolls
-2 (8oz) packages cream cheese (softened)
-1 cup sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 cup butter (melted)
-Cinnamon & sugar (I used about 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tbs cinnamon)

Instructions:
Unroll and spread 1 can crescent rolls on bottom of un-greased pan. Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread mixture over crescent rolls. Unroll and spread remaining crescent rolls over mixture. Spread melted butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Taco Cups



Taco Cups--Refrigerated biscuits make a grand holder for taco filling and all its trimmings!

Ingredients

1 1/2lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1(15-oz.) can spicy chili beans, undrained
1package (1.25 oz) Old El Paso® 40% less-sodium taco seasoning mix
1/2cup water
1can (16.3 oz) Grands!® refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/2cup shredded lettuce, if desired
1/2cup chopped tomato, if desired
1/2cup sour cream, if desired
1/2cup Old El Paso® Salsa, if desired

1 Heat oven to 375°F. Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
2 Add chili beans, taco seasoning mix and water; mix well. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 10 minutes or until ground beef mixture is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
3 Meanwhile, spray outside bottom and sides of 8 (6-oz.) custard cups lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Roll or pat each biscuit to form 4 1/2-inch round. Place rounds over outside of sprayed cups; press to fit over bottom and part way down sides of cups. Place cups, upside down, in ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
4 Bake at 375°F. for 14 to 16 minutes or until deep golden brown. Remove pan from oven. Carefully remove biscuit cups from custard cups. Place biscuit cups, right side up, in same baking pan. Spoon beef mixture evenly into each cup.
5 Top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa.

Indian Frybread


Indian Frybread

Ingredients:

4 cups of flour
1 tbs. baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tbs. powdered milk
1 ½ cups warm water
1 cup shortening
Extra flour to flour your hands

Directions:

Put flour in bowl, add baking powder, salt and powdered milk. Mix.

Mix in warm water to form dough.

Cover hands in flour.

Knead dough by hand until soft but not sticky. Cover with a cloth and let stand for 15 minutes.

Shape dough into balls about 2 inches across then flatten by patting and stretching the dough.

Melt shortening about an inch deep in frying pan. When hot put dough in pan. Fry one side till golden brown, then turn and fry the other.

This is a wonderful bread that can be used as a dessert by topping with honey, powdered sugar, etc. or can be used for main dishes such as topping with taco ingredients for an "Indian Taco".

Hot Cocoa Snowman Gift Set


Good morning everyone... 152 days until Christmas! Eeek, are you getting excited yet?
I thought I would share this cute little gift idea, as more and more of us seem to be making gifts nowadays - not only to save a few pennies, but to give a more personal gift and to have a little crafty project to do with the kids... so here they are... Snowman made from baby food jars 
The top jar is filled with marshmallows. The middle jar is filled hot chocolate mix and the bottom jar is filled with mints.
Hope you like these  Francesca xx
A SIMILAR HOW-TO HERE - http://forwhatitsworth-ornot.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/hot-cocoa-snowman-gift.html

Stuffed Peppers



MAKE ME STUFFED PEPPERS
2 large green peppers, halved lengthwise
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup onion, chopped, 1 1/4 ounces
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup tomato, chopped, about 2 ounces
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
2 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded, for topping

In a large pot, bring about half a potful of water to a boil. Add the peppers and boil for 3 minutes; drain. In the same pot, brown the hamburger, onion and garlic. Drain the fat and stir in the tomatoes and seasonings. Cook until the tomatoes are hot; remove from the heat and stir in the 4 ounces of cheese. Put the pepper halves in a greased 8x8" baking pan and fill with the meat mixture. Sprinkle the extra cheese on top, if using. Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes.

Makes 4 servings
Can be frozen

Per Serving: 388 Calories; 27g Fat; 30g Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 4g Net Carbs

I had 4 ounces of pepper-jack cheese and a 2 ounce chunk of cheddar that needed to be used up so I put the jack in the meat mixture and the cheddar on top. These were very good. Do not use pre-shredded cheese. The powdery coating doesn't allow it to melt properly.

Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes


TT:
A friend and classmate of mine brought these to class tonight for our "End of class potluck" that we have every month. They are HEAVEN!! I think I ate 4 of them haha

Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes
Yield: 30 cheesecakes

Ingredients

42 Oreos, 30 left whole and 12 coarsely chopped
2 pounds (32 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
pinch of salt
Instructions

Preheat oven to 275°. Line standard muffin pans with liners. Place 1 whole cookie in the bottom of each liner.
Beat cream cheese at medium speed using an electric mixer. Gradually add the sugar, beating until combined. Beat in vanilla.
Drizzle in eggs, a bit at a time. Beat in sour cream and salt. Stir in chopped cookies by hand.
Divide batter evenly among cookie-lined cups, filling each almost to the top. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, about 22 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Remove from tins just before serving. Best served really cold! You can garnish with fresh whipped cream and crumbled Oreos if desired.

~Dakot

Easy Cheese Danish



Love cheese danish...and especially when you can make them at home and they are fresh and warm just out of the oven!

EASY CHEESE DANISH

Ingredients:

2 cans of crescent rolls
1 8oz package of cream cheese at room temp.
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 tsp sour cream

Preheat the oven to 350. Place a sheet of parchment paper on cookie sheet or baking pan.

Open the crescent rolls carefully so as not to tear the dough. Do not unroll...you will need to leave it in it's cylindrical shape. Slice the dough into pieces about 1/4 inch thick (as though you're slicing cookie dough). Place the slices on a cookie sheet. Now press the center in to make an indentation for the cream cheese filling.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese, regular sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and sour cream. Add a dollop of the mixture to the indentation you made in each circle of dough. I find that about a tbsp works well, but you can use as little or as much as you like.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. While the danish are baking, you can make a quick royal icing to drizzle over the tops.

Drizzle for top:

1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp softened butter

Mix together the confectioner's sugar, milk and butter in a small bowl. Use a spoon to drizzle it over the tops of the danish, or you can put it into a small zip-top bag and snip of the corner for an easy "piping bag."

Take the danish out of the oven and allow them to cool for 10-15 minutes before icing

Starbucks Lemon Loaf


This is a Top Secret recipe version of Starbucks Lemon loaf.

Starbucks Lemon Loaf

1 1/2 cup(s) FLOUR
1/2 teaspoon(s) BAKING SODA
1/2 teaspoon(s) BAKING POWDER
1/2 teaspoon(s) SALT
3 EGGS
1 cup(s) SUGAR
2 tablespoon(s) BUTTER; Softened.
1 teaspoon(s) VANILLA
1 teaspoon(s) LEMON EXTRACT
1/3 cup(s) LEMON JUICE
1/2 cup(s) OIL
LEMON ICING
1 cup(s) POWDERED SUGAR; Plus 1 Tablespoon.
2 tablespoon(s) WHOLE MILK; I Used 2%.
1/2 teaspoon(s) LEMON EXTRACT
Instructions
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
Use a mixer to blend together the eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract and lemon juice in a medium bowl.
Pour wet ingredient into the dry ingredients and blend until smooth.
Add oil and mix well.
Pour batter into a well greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick stuck into center of the cake comes out clean.
Make the lemon icing by combining all the icing ingredients in a small bowl with an electric mixer on low speed.
When the loaf is cool, remove it from pan and frost the top with the icing.
Let the icing set up before slicing.

Chubby Chicken and Cream Cheese Taquitos


Chubby Chicken and Cream Cheese Taquitos

Ingredients

3 cups cooked shredded chicken
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped baby spinach, stems remove
coarse salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
10 six-inch flour tortillas
vegetable or canola oil, for frying

your choice for serving:
sour cream, guacamole, salsa, taco sauce, ranch dressing

Instructions
1. In a large bowl mix together the chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, salsa, cheddar and spinach. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. Working with one tortilla at a time spread 2 heaping tablespoons of the chicken mixture off center and spread out like a log. Roll up and set seam side down on a platter. Repeat until all the tortillas are filled and rolled.

3. Add enough oil to a large skillet to generously cover the bottom. Heat on medium to medium-low heat, cook tortillas in batches, turning to brown each side. Remove to paper towels to drain.

4. Serve with your choice of dunking sauce.

No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream


No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

It'll take you just 10 minutes to prep this satisfying and delicious homemade vanilla ice cream.
The best part? You don't need one of those silly ice cream machines! Now that's magic, if you ask us.

Ingredients
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
2 cups cold heavy cream
Directions
In a medium bowl, stir together condensed milk, vanilla, and Bourbon, if desired.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream on high until stiff peaks form, 3 minutes.
With a rubber spatula, gently fold whipped cream into condensed milk mixture.
Pour into a 4 1/2-by-8 1/2-inch loaf pan. Freeze until firm, 6 hours.

Cook's Note: Freeze, covered, up to 1 week.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Fresh Apple Cake


Fresh Apple Cake
Layer your apple slices (or other fruit) at the bottom of a pan (9x11) that has been coated with non-stick spray.
Sprinkle on boxed cake mix.
Pour 1/2 cup of melted butter over the fruit and dry cake mix.
Bake at 350* for approximately 35-45 minutes -- it's done when it is nice and bubbly.

Chicken Pot Pie with just 4 ingredients


Chicken Pot Pie with just 4 ingredients? It couldn't get any easier!
Grands!® Chicken Pot Pie Puffs
2 cups Green Giant® frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup diced cooked chicken
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury® Grands!® Flaky Layers refrigerated biscuits
Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, combine vegetables, chicken and soup; mix well.
Press each biscuit into 5 1/2-inch round. Place 1 round in each of 8 greased regular-size muffin cups. Firmly press in bottom and up side, forming 3/4-inch rim. Spoon a generous 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each. Pull edges of dough over filling toward center; pleat and pinch dough gently to hold in place.
Bake at 375°F 20 to 22 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from pan.
Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Pillsbury® Kitchens
Substitute 2 cups of any frozen (thawed) vegetables you have on hand, such as broccoli, corn, peas or green beans, for the mixed vegetables.
If your family loves cheese, sprinkle some shredded Cheddar cheese over each puff about 5 minutes before the end of the baking time.

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