Homemade Hand Scrub

I figured you girls would like this recipe because we all loved the hand scrub we did at the sisters reunion! Its super easy and feels amazing! Enjoy (:

Equal parts Salt and Olive Oil with a splash of Vanilla Extract. Mix and scrub away! **Not To Eat**

I have given this as a gift and I put a drop of Food Coloring and I put it in an empty honey bottle(shaped like a bear). She loved it! 

Jalapeno Popper Dip

2 8-oz. packages cream cheese (light works great)
1 c. mayonnaise (light also works here, but DON'T use Miracle Whip!)
1 c. Parmesan cheese
4 oz. can diced green chilies 
2 oz. can diced jalapeno peppers*, drained
1-2 sourdough baguettes, sliced, and/or crackers or tortilla chips

2 ounces of the jalapenos is mild with a little bite, a whole can (4 oz.) is definitely on the spicy side, but if you've got taste buds of steel, you might prefer a 7-oz. can.

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients and spread into a 9" pie plate or a small baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until dip is bubbly and golden brown.

This is so delicious! If you are planning to take a snack to a holiday party, take this!

Apple Betty

from the Betty Crocker Cookbook

4 cups peeled and sliced tart apples
       or 1 1lb 2oz. can pie-sliced apples, drained
1/4 cup orange juice
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
1/2 cup butter

Mound apples in buttered 9-inch pie plate; sprinkle with orange juice. Combine sugar, flour, spices, and salt; cut in butter till mixture is crumbly; sprinkle over apples.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or till apples are tender and topping is crisp.

Serve warm with cream.

Makes 6 servings.

German Chocolate Bars

1/2 cup softened butter 

1 pkg. Betty Crocker SuperMoist German chocolate cake mix
1 tub (1 lb.) Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy coconut pecan frosting
1 (6 oz.) bag semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 c. milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, cut butter into cake mix, using pastry blender until crumbly. Press half of the mixture (2 1/2 cups) in bottom of pan; reserve remaining cake mixture. Bake 10 minutes.

Carefully spread frosting over baked layer; sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips. Stir milk into reserved cake mixture. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto chocolate chips.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until cake portion is slightly dry to the touch. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm. Cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store covered in refrigerator. Yields 48 bars.

Someone made these for my last book club meeting. They were super yummy!

Mom's Fabulous Rolls

Combine:
2 cups scalded milk
1 cup sugar
2 cubes soft butter

Combine:
1 cup warm water
3 Tblsp. yeast
1 tsp. sugar

6 beaten eggs

8-10 cups of flour

3/4 Tblsp salt

When butter and sugar are dissolved, add the yeast mixture, then
add the eggs. Stir in the flour a small amount at a time and the salt. Mix until the dough is smooth and soft. Let the dough rise until doubled, then shape and let rise.
Bake at 350 degrees until light brown. (10-12 minutes)
When making cinnamon rolls, add a little more sugar to the dough.
As with all of Mom's recipes, this makes a lot!

Hint: The closer you stay to 8 cups of flour, the softer the rolls.

Easy Pumpkin Cookies

1 Spice Cake Mix
1 3/4 cups pumpkin
2 cups chocolate chips (white chocolate is equally delicious!)

mix together thoroughly
scoop onto cookie sheet
Bake at 375 for 10-11 minutes (or until baked through) oven time varies
Makes about 4 dozen cookies

I made a powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar, milk, butter, vanilla), spooned it into a zip lock bag then sniped a corner to drizzle it on top! it's prettier and less messy to do it this way! So yummy!

Blog Makeover!

 I thought it was time to get a new picture as our header! I hope that everyone is ready for the Holidays, or at least starting to get ready!  I was hoping that everyone could share their favorite Holiday dishes through out the next couple of months!  I know that I enjoy trying new recipes this time of year and making some of my traditional favorites! I love you all and hope that everyone has a happy Holiday Season! 
                                                                                                     Love, Diana

Yummy Yam Bake

4 or 5 big yams baked. Peel and cut into 2" chunks.

Toss together:

1 1/2 tsp. fruit fresh (citric acid)

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3 tart apples cored, seeded and sliced (not too thin a bit thicker is better)

You can peel apples or not

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Layer in a 2 or 3 qt. casserole dish starting with yams, then apple/nut/spice mix.

(I use a deeper casserole for more layers.)

Dot the layers with 1/4 cup butter

Bake at 350 until apples are just crisp tender. (20 to 30 minutes)

Remove from the oven and turn on the broiler

Cover casserole with miniature marshmellows or large marshmellows.

Brown the marshmellows under the broiler, watch CAREFULLY!! It takes less time than you think to brown those marshmellows. It tends to brown all at once.

Recipe can be easily doubled for a crowd.

Super Simple Hot Fudge Sauce

Melt in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute:

1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cube (1/2 C. ) butter

Stir and melt for another 30 seconds if needed.

Add 1- 14 oz. can sweetened condensed

milk and 1/8 C. milk and stir until blended.

Heat through.

This is the best hot fudge sauce I have ever made. Next time you buy some good vanilla ice cream, just make this to go with it! Super delicious!

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
3 Eggs
2 cups Sugar
½ cup Vegetable oil
½ cup No sugar added applesauce
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 cups Grated zucchini (peeled or not, your preference)
2 ½ cups Flour
1/3 cup Flax seed
¼ cup Oat bran
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp Baking soda
¼ tsp. Baking powder
1 Tbl. Cinnamon
½ cup Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions:
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl (flour – through cinnamon). In an electric mixer, beat eggs until light and fluffy (very yellow). Then add sugar and oil – beat. Stir in vanilla and zucchini. Add in dry ingredients and stir with a spoon now. Add nuts if desired. Cook 65-70 minutes at 325. Let cool in pan on rack 15 minutes. Remove from pan, cool completely on rack.


I LOVE this recipe. I'll post a pic when I get one. I'm going to make this this week and am going to try 1/4 cup oil and 3/4 cups applesauce. I'll let you know how that turns out. I also use mini bread pans and cook the bread for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream together:

1 1/2 cups shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

Add:

3 well beaten eggs

Add:

3 cups + 6 Tblsp flour

1 1/2 tsp soda

1 1/2 tso salt

Add:

3/4 tsp hot water

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Add:

1 pkg chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups nuts

coconut (optional)

Bake 350 - 375 for 8 - 10 minutes

Makes about 6 dozen

CHOCOLATE CAKE POPS

1. Bake a plain Chocolate Cake and let it cool.
2. Break it into pieces into a large bowl.
3. Add Chocolate frosting (about half a container) and mix until it it’s the consistency of Play Dough.
4. Use an ice cream scoop to get a portion of dough and put it on a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper.
5. Put them in the freezer until solid and firm.
6. Use a double broiler and melt Chocolate flavored Baker’s Chocolate (about 2 Boxes).
7. Use a toothpick or two spoons to roll each pop in the melted chocolate.
8. Let the excess chocolate drip off and place it on a plate covered with waxed paper and decorate with sprinkles or nuts and marshmallows.
9. Once a few are decorated (enough to fill a plate) put them in the freezer to harden (about 5-10 mins). Repeat until all cake pops are hard.
10. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Grandma McGee's Mile High Biscuits

3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg, beaten
1 1/8 cup milk

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and milk all at once; mix until dough forms a ball. Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead 10 to 12 times. Roll out to 3/4 inch thickness; cut with floured 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and freeze. When biscuits have frozen, they may be stored in a plastic bag in the freezer until needed.
To bake frozen biscuits, place on a lightly greased pan. Bake at 475 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, until light brown. Yields 1 dozen.

That's how Grandma's recipe is written, but I have never frozen the biscuits. I always cook them up right away, and I never grease the pan.

Chicken and Biscuits

Ingredients:
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
1 pkg. frozen mixed veggies, thawed
{Or boil some carrots, and use canned green beans and/or corn.}
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can refrigerated biscuit dough

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°

1. Mix soup and sour cream in 8" square baking dish {can be adapted}.

2. Stir in chicken, veggies, and cheese.

3. Place desired amount of biscuits in soupy-chicken-veggie mixture.

4. Bake uncovered at 350° for 35 minutes. Pay close attention though, it's really easy to overbake the biscuits. Just take it out when they're golden brown.

5. Enjoy with your lovely family, and tell me how it turned out!

Faster Method:
Mix and place everything minus the chicken, pop it in the oven, and run to the grocery store to pick up a rotisserie chicken to have on the side before it's done. Or maybe the biscuits and veggies are the side. Whichever you prefer. It's still good eatin'.

Potato Casserole

8 cooked potatoes - shredded
1 pint sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup melted margarine
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup grated cheese
salt & pepper to taste

Topping:
2 cups cornflake crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter

Mix all ingredients and place into a 9x13 dish. Sprinkle with topping. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes until heated through.

Apple & Spinach Pizza

This is DELICIOUS! You all must try it and let me know what you think

Ingredients:
2 tsp. garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 12-inch prepared pizza dough crust
2 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or Granny Smith apples cored, peeled and thinly sliced (or chopped)
1 cup shredded low-fat, part skim Mozzarella cheese
1 cup crumbled Blue, Gargonzola or Roquefort cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 tsp. dried leaf oregano
Method:
1) For each pizza: Heat oven to 450. Saute garlic in olive oil over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
2) Brush olive oil blend onto pizza crust.
3) Distribute spinach evenly onto crust.
4) Sprinkle on apples.
5) Blend mozzarella cheese, blue cheese and parmesan cheese. Distribute evenly over apples.
6) Sprinkle on oregano. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese boils and crust is brown.

Homemade Oreo Cookies

1 Box Choc Cake Mix (Devil's Food)
2 Eggs
1/3 C. Oil
1 8 oz. Box Cream Cheese
3 Tbsp. Butter
2 C. Powdered Sugar

Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil well. Roll dough into balls a smaller than a golf ball, but bigger than a marble... Place on greased cookie sheet and bake @ 350 for 8 minutes.

Icing: Mix Cream Cheese, Butter and Powdered Suger together.

*{Megs}*

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Another favorite from, "The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner"

4 servings

2 slices white or wheat bread
4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt
4 slices deli ham
6 this slices Swiss Cheese
8 tablespoons cold butter (1 stick)

1. Pulse bread in a blender to make crumbs. Set aside.

2. Pound chicken breasts to flatten. Lay the flattened breasts side by side on a platter, sheet pan, or a sheet of wax paper.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking dish.

4. Sprinkle each breast with salt. Add 1 slice ham, 1 slice of cheese, 1 tablespoon butter, and a sprinkling of bread crumbs. Roll up the breasts tightly and tuck in the ends. Place them seam side down in the prepared baking dish. When you have all of the breasts in the baking dish, top each with 1 tablespoon of the remaining butter and 1/2 slice of the remaining cheese. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.

5. Bake 40-50 minutes. Basting occasionally. Cover the dish with foil when the chicken browns, to prevent it from drying out. The chicken is done when it is tender and not longer pink.

Enjoy!

Grandma McGee's Homemade Ice Cream

6 eggs, well beaten

2 1/2 cups sugar

2 quarts 1/2 & 1/2

1 1/2 Tblsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp lemon extract

1/2 tsp salt

Gradually add sugar to beaten eggs and blend until mixture becomes thick and lemon colored.

Add remaining ingredients.

Add milk to finish filling if necessary.

Freeze in an ice cream freezer.

White Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 Small box White Chocolate Pudding
1/2 C. Sugar
3/4 C. Water
3/4 C. Vegetable Oil
1 t. Vanilla
4 Eggs
1 C. White Chocolate Chips
1 C. Sour Cream

Mix all ingredients together in large mixing bowl. Spray bundt pan with LOTS of Pam. Heat oven to 350, bake for 45 mins. Use the rest of the white chocolate chips to smother top of cake with. To melt choc. chips, heat in microwave in 15 sec. intervals stirring in between. Once melted drizzle over cake. ENJOY!!

Love,

Megs

Santa Fe Chicken Soup

From: Eating for Life, Body for Life cookbook

Servings:4
Prep: 55 minutes

1/3 cup brown rice (uncooked)
4 portions chicken breast (about 1 lb)
1 lime, halved
2 tsp taco seasoning
6 corn tortillas
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
6 cups fat-free, reduced sodium chicken broth
salsa
sour cream
shredded cheese

1. Cook brown rice according to package. Place chicken in shallow dish, cover with lime juice, and lightly coat with taco seasoning. Then place chicken on a hot grill and cook for approx. 6 min. on each side. Let the chicken cool slightly, then cut into strips and set a side.
note: I like to cook my chicken in the crock pot all day, I added the lime juice and seasoning after I shredded it about 30 min. before serving it. It makes it so tender and juicy!

2. Preheat oven to 350, cut corn tortillas into strips, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 min. or until crispy.
note: I am not a super healthy cooker so, I just use regular tortilla chips!

3. Heat olive oil in a lage pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, saute until the onion is transparent, about 8 minutes.

4. Add cooked rice to pot and saute for 3 minutes. Add green chilies and saute for 2 minutes. Then pour in chicken broth into mixtures and bring to a boil. Add chicken and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 25 min.

5. Serve in bowls and load up with shredded cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream, and salsa.

Serve and enjoy!!
I obviously don't make this as healthy as it should be! But I like it my way!!

Quiche Divine

1 cup shredded swiss cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3/4 cup diced ham
2 green onions
1/2 green pepper
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup light cream
1/2 tsp. lemon peel
1/2 tsp salt
pinch of pepper
1/4 tsp, dry mustard

Bake pie shell for 5 minutes at 425 degrees. Remove from oven and arrange cheese, bacon, and ham in the bottom of the shell. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and green peppers. In a medium bowl combine eggs, cream, lemon peel, salt, pepper, and dry mustard. Pour evenly over cheese mixture. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Serves 8

Butternut Squash Soup

3 lb butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp. chopped fresh marjoram
2 tbsp. olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combined with thickeners, such as potatoes or rice, and infused with fresh herbs such as thyme and marjoram, almost any winter squash will make a delicious soup.  To peel an uncooked winter squash, first halve it using a heavy chef's knife or cleaver. With the halves of the squash resting flat and steadied on a cutting board, take the knife and slice the skin off, aiming down and away from your fingers.  Turn the squash as you go until only the flesh remains.  Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and any fibrous flesh.

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan and add just enough water to cover the mixture.

2. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.

3.  Let cool briefly.  Working in batches, puree in a blender until coarse or smooth, depending on your  preference.

4.  Taste and adjust the seasoning.  Reheat soup, if necessary, before serving.  

Julie's Fudge

4 1/2 cups sugar
1 can evaporated milk
1/2 lb. real butter (2 cubes)
2 bags milk chocolate chips
1 T vanilla
2 cups chopped pecans (optional)
Buttered 7x11 pan

Boil sugar and evaporated milk for 7 minutes. Stir constantly. Remove from heat. Add butter, chips, and vanilla. Beat for 3 minutes. Add pecans. Pour into pan. Refrigerate. (I prefer to drop the fudge by spoon fulls onto waxed paper. It looks very pretty.)

Our family loves this recipe. Let me know if any of you try it. I know that the holidays are over, so just tuck this one away for next year.

Fruit Salad

1 large (or 2 small) Lemon Jello
1 Instant Lemon Pudding
2 large cans Pineapple Chunks or Tidbits
2 cans Manderine Oranges
1 jar Marachino Cherries (cut into halves or quarters)
5-6 Bananas (sliced)
Whipping Cream

Dissolve jello in 2 1/2 cups boiling water, set aside to cool.
Prepare pudding according to package directions.
Mix jello and pudding together, add fruit.
Place mixture into serving dishes.
Top with whipped cream and chill until set.
Makes two medium salads, or one large and one small.

Wassail

2 qt. Apple Cider
1 qt. Orange Juice
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Whole Cloves
1 tsp. Whole Allspice
3 inches of Stick Cinnamon
dash Nutmeg

Heat through. Remove whole spices prior to serving.

Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish

1 (12-ounce) package Ocean Spray® Fresh or Frozen Cranberries, rinsed and drained

1 unpeeled orange, cut into eighths and seeded

3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar

Place half the cranberries and half the orange slices in food processor container. Process until mixture is evenly chopped. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with remaining cranberries and orange slices. Stir in sugar. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Makes about 3 cups.

NOTE: May also be prepared in a food grinder.

Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding!

From Paula Dean

Ingredients
2 Bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies
6-8 Bananas, Sliced
2 Cups Milk
1 5-ounce Box Instant French Vanilla Pudding
1 8-ounce Package Cream Cheese, softened
1 14-ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 12-ounce container Cool Whip

Directions
Line the bottom of a 13X9X2 inch dish with one bag of cookies and put bananas on top.
Blend Milk with the Pudding mix in electric mixer. Set aside.
Beat Cream Cheese and Condensed milk together in a bowl until smooth; fold in Cool Whip. Add to Pudding mixture, stirring until well blended.
Pour mixture over Cookies and Bananas; cover with remaining cookies. Refrigerate. Serves 12.

*I only used 5 medium bananas. The 6 to 8 seemed like a little too much.

*This is a dessert straight from Heaven. I just made it yesterday and everyone loved it. Nice presentation too.

Slow-cooked Chicken Noodle Soup

From The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner

2 1/2 to 3 pounds chicken parts (you may use a whole chicken, cut up, or all breasts or legs if desired)

1 medium onion, chopped

4 carrots, sliced

2 celery ribs, sliced

2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles

2 cups frozen peas (optional)

1. Wipe the chicken pieces with damp paper towels and discard the towels. (I use frozen chicken breasts)

2. Put the onion, carrots, celery, parsley flakes, salt, basil, pepper, and thyme in a large slow cooker. Place chicken on top. Add water to cover. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low heat 8 to 10 hours or on high heat 4 to 6 hours.

3. 30 to 60 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it. Return the meet to the pot. Add the noodles and cover and cook on high heat for 30 to 45 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

From The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup all purpose flour

4 cups chicken broth

3 1/2 cups half-and-half

1 1/2 cups marinara sauce

1 (14.5 ounce)can diced tomatoes or 8-10 small vine ripened tomatoes, diced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, or 1/2 teaspoon dried

coarse salt and ground black pepper

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook and stir for 5 minutes to slightly brown the mixture. Whisk in the broth. Increase the heat and cook and stir until thickened. Decrease the heat to low, stir in the half-and-half, and simmer for 20 minutes.

2. Stir in the marinara sauce, tomatoes, and basil, and cook until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve as is chunky style, or puree in a food processor or blender if you prefer a smooth soup. (I just blend the diced tomatoes before I add them)

Serve with Polly's French bread

Mandarin Chicken Salad

2 - 3 Chicken Breasts (Boneless & Skinless)
1/2 cup Asian Sesame Dressing
6 cups Salad Greens of your choice
2 cans Mandarin Oranges
1/3 cup Sliced Almonds
1/4 cup Green Onion (thinly sliced) (optional)
1 can Water Chestnuts (optional)
3 cups Chinese Noodles

1. Cook chicken breasts and cut into bite-sized chunks. Place the chicken chunks in a bowl and cover with enough dressing to coat, stirring gently. Set aside in the refrigerator to chill.
2. In a large bowl, gently combine the salad greens, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds green onion and water chestnuts. Stir in the remaining dressing as you gently toss.
3. Add the chicken pieces and toss gently.
4. Top each serving with chinese noodles.

Adjust all amounts to taste.

(Don't know why it turned my picture sideways!)

A Truly Evil Dessert!!

Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake - Try this at your own risk!!

Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake

Rated:
Submitted By: EAGLE BRAND®
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Servings: 12
"For something a little bit different and a whole lot delicious, make this autumn pumpkin cheesecake instead of pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving feast."
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese,
softened
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND®
Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
3 large eggs
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Maple Pecan Glaze:
1 cup whipping cream
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
1.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2.
Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter; press firmly on bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
3.
In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; mix well. Pour into prepared pan.
4.
Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center appears nearly set when shaken. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
5.
To serve, spoon some Maple Pecan Sauce over cheesecake.
6.
Maple Pecan Glaze: In medium-sized saucepan, combine whipping cream and pure maple syrup; bring to a boil. Boil rapidly 15 to 20 minutes or until slightly thickened; stir occasionally. Stir in chopped pecans. Cover and chill until served. Stir before serving.

Pear Gorgonzola Salad

From The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner

8 cups spring mix

2 medium ripe pears

1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Carmelized walnuts

Balsamic Vinaigrette

1. Put the spring mix into a large bowl.

2. Peel the pears. Cut in half, core, then cut into thin slices. Add the pears, cheese, cranberries, and walnuts to the greens.

3. Add just enough dressing to moisten the ingredients, and toss to coat and combine.

I love this salad! It is always a huge hit and is such a pretty salad! serves 4-6.

Cabo Lime Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients:

6 Chicken breast portions (about 8 oz. each)

Marinade:

½ tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
4 Limes, or 4 Tbl. Bottled Lime Juice
4 tsp. White wine vinegar
9 Tbl. Olive Oil
2 tsp. Basil

Cami's Guacamole Dip

Cheedar Cheese

Romaine Lettuce

Ciabatta Rolls

Directions: Prepare Guacamole dip according to recipe intructions; chill in the fridge while chicken marinates. Squeeze Limes into medium sized bowl. Stir in vinegar, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper. Marinate chicken in the fridge for at least an hour or more. Grill chicken 7 minutes on each side. During the last 3-4 minutes of cooking place ciabatta rolls on grill to toast. Slice or grate some cheedar cheese for each sandwhich. Place chicken, guacamole dip, cheese and lettuce on top of toasted ciabatta roll and enjoy.

Cherry Chocolate Popcorn

Ingredients:

1 bag Microwave popcorn, unflavored

In a sauce pan over medium heat:
½ cup Butter
½ cup Sugar
1 small Cherry jello
1 Tbl. Corn syrup
3 Tbl. Water

Directions:
Bring to a boil, boil for about 4 minutes. Pour on popcorn and mix well. Spread on cookie sheet and bake at 250° for 20 minutes. Melt semi-sweet chips and drizzle over the top.

Homemade French Bread

From the kitchen of Polly Astorga

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups Very warm water
2 Tbl. Sugar
2 Tbl. Yeast
2 Tbl. Oil
1 Tbl. Salt
6 cups Flour

Directions:
Soften sugar and yeast in water. Add ½ the flour then salt and oil. Beat vigourously 2-3 minutes. Add rest of flour lightly. Divide 2 parts. Roll into rectangle and roll up. Let rise on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 25 to 30 minutes. It's delicious!!

Apple Bread

A Good Friend

Ingredients:
3 cups Flour
1 ½ tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
3 cups Peeled and thinly sliced apples
2 cups Sugar
3 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 ½ cups oil (Substitute 1 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup oil for less fat)
Directions:
Mix dry then wet. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time. Beat well. Stir in apples. Spray loaf pans with non-stick spray and sprinkle with sugar. Pour batter into pans about half full and cook at 325 degrees for 1 ½ hours for full size pans. 45 minutes for mini loaf pans. Try substituting applesauce for oil.

Apple picking season is coming up!

Guacamole dip

Ingredients:
2 Jalapeno chilies or 2 Tbl. Canned chopped green chilies
2 ripe Large avocadoes
2 Tbl. Lime juice
2 Tbl. Finely chopped cilantro
½ tsp. Salt
Dash Pepper
1 clove Garlic, minced
2 med. Tomatoes, finely chopped (1 ½ cups)
1 med. Onion, chopped, (1/2 cup)

Mix together and enjoy! Very fresh and yummy and another winner!

Classic Red Salsa

Good Friend
Ingredients:
Half to 1 Whole onion
1 large Handful cilantro, rinsed. Include stem and all
2 Jalapenos, seeds make it hotter
1 large Or 2 garlic cloves
1 can Mexican tomatoes
1 can Regular tomatoes
Juice ½ lime
¼ tsp salt

Directions:
After blending the first 6 ingredients in a heavy-duty blender or food processor, pour into a dish and juice the lime and add the salt. Mix and chill for a few hours. It's a winner when ever I take it to parties!!

Creamy Rice Pudding

Allrecipes.com
4 servings

Ingredients:
¾ cup Uncooked white rice
2 cups Milk, divided
1/3 cup White sugar
¼ tsp. Salt
1 Egg, beaten
2/3 cup Golden raisins
1 Tbl. Butter
½ tsp. Vanilla extract

Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 ½ cups water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Or just follow directions on package.
2. When rice is finished cooking, combine 1 ½ cups cooked rice, 1 ½ cups of milk, sugar, and salt. Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in remaining ½ cup milk, beaten egg and raisins. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly so as to not scramble the egg. Remove from heat, and stir in butter and vanilla. Serve warm. Serve with cinnamon to your liking.

I just use left over rice and usually double the recipe. It’s delicious.

Stir-Fried Asian Beef and Noodles

Betty Crocker’s Cookbook
6 servings
Ingredients:
1 lb. Beef boneless sirloin or round steak cut into 2x1/4-inch strips
1 Tbl. Vegetable oil
1 tsp. Cornstarch (1 ½ Tbl. Cornstarch)
½ tsp. Soy sauce
1 pkg. (6 oz.) Rice stick noodles (Omit)
1 Tbl. Vegetable oil
1 Tbl. Finely chopped gingerroot (1 tsp. ground ginger)
1 clove Garlic, finely chopped (Omit (Blake’s allergic))
1 bag (16 oz.) Frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower
1 Tbl. Vegetable oil
¾ cup Beef broth
1/3 cup Rice or cider vinegar
1/3 cup Honey
3 Tbl. Soy sauce
1 tsp. Sesame oil
¼ tsp. Crushed red pepper
4 med. Green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)

Directions:
1. toss beef, 1 Tbl. Vegetable oil, the cornstarch and ½ tsp. soy sauce in glass or plastic bowl. Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes. Soak noodles in cold water 5 minutes; drain. Just toss in oil and soy sauce (be generous), omit cornstarch on this step
2. Heat 12 inch skillet or wok over med-high heat. Add 1 Tbl. Vegetable oil; rotate the skillet to coat with oil. Add gingerroot and garlic; stir-fry 30 seconds. Add vegetables; stir-fry until crisp-tender. Remove vegetables from skillet. Omit the gingerroot and garlic step.
3. Add 1 Tbl. Vegetable oil to skillet; rotate to coat. Add beef; stir-fry about 5 minutes or until brown. Remove beef from skillet. Begin with a hot pan and really sear the outside of the meat. Bottom of the pan will get a little dark from the meat, leave it, it adds flavor!
4. Add broth, vinegar, honey, 3 Tbl. Soy sauce, the sesame oil, 1 ½ Tbl. Cornstarch, and red pepper to skillet. Stir in noodles; heat to boiling. Cook over medium heat about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until noodles are tender. Stir in beef, vegetables and green onions; cook and stir 1 minute. Omit noodles step, I didn’t have any. Just add liquid with the meat, whisk off dark bottom of pan. Once the pan is clean, add the veggies and cook until slightly thick. If you want it thicker add some more cornstarch to cold beef broth and then gradually add in.

NOTE: I adjusted this recipe so all of my changes are shown in purple. I didn't have any gingerroot or noodles. I also added some chow mein noodles on top and it tasted really good with it. This recipe is easier then it sounds, promise. I had it prepped and cooked in about 30 minutes--it was a last minute dinner decision one Sunday night. I don't know why my picture is not displaying right side up--Sorry

1 serving (1 cup): 295 calories

Chewy Granola Bars

From the Kitchen of: Alisa Cardon
2 1/2 C. quick oats
1/2 C. rice krispies
1/4 C. coconut
1/2 C. M&M minis
1/2 C. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C. butter, softened
1/4 C. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Add all of the ingredients and mix together until combined. Press into a 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and score into bars. Let it set completely and then cut into bars.

I made these tonight with Adam and I can't stay out of them! This is a picture of Alisa Cardon's little boy Nathan. She says, " they really are THAT good!"

Mexican Cornbread

From the Kitchen of Adrian Carter
1 Lb. ground beef or turkey
1 can regular corn
½ cup chopped onion
1 can cream style corn
½ cup chopped bell pepper
½ cup sour cream
1 pkg. taco mix
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 pkg. cornbread mix (2 jiffy)
Preheat oven to 400
Brown meat with onion and bell pepper and taco seasoning. Drain off the grease and set aside. Mix cornbread batter per directions on the box and then add both cans of corn and sour cream; set aside. Pour half cornbread mixture in casserole dish add all meat mixture. Top with 3/4 of the cheese and then pour remaining cornbread mixture on top. Sprinkle a small amount cheese on top (optional) and bake at 400 for 30-40- min.

Beef Stroganoff

½ lb. round steak or stew meat
¼ c. flour
1/8 tsp. pepper
¼ c. butter
3 cups cooked noodles
1 can mushroom or ½ lb. fresh
½ c. onion chopped
1 clove of garlic
1 ½ c. beef broth
1 c. sour cream

Dust meat with flour and pepper in a baggy (optional). Brown meat in a skillet. Saute butter, onion, mushroom, garlic. Stir in beef broth and add meat. Cover and cook for 1 hour. Add sour cream before serving.

Asian Pork Roast

Pork Loin or Bottom Roast
1 can cream of coconut (coco lopez)
1 can plum sauce

Roast in the oven on 325 for 3 or 4 hours. Put in oven with water for the majority of the time. Combine sauces. Drain off water and fat and add sauce for the last 5 min - an hour.

(Find cream of coconut by the specialty drinks and the plum sauce in ethnic foods by asian foods)

Pizza Crust

Jay's Signature Pizza Crust from allrecipes.com Ingredients: 1 T active dry yeast 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar 1 1/2 cups warm water 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 cups all-purpose flour Directions: 1.In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the warm water, and let sit for 10 minutes. 2.Stir the salt and oil into the yeast solution. Mix in 2 1/2 cups of the flour. 3.Turn dough out onto a clean, well floured surface, and knead in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and cover with a cloth. Let the dough rise until double; this should take about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out. Use for your favorite pizza recipe. 4.Preheat oven to 425. If you are baking the dough on a pizza stone, you may place your toppings on the dough, and bake immediately. If you are baking your pizza in a pan, lightly oil the pan, and let the dough rise for 15 or 20 minutes before topping and baking it. 5.Bake pizza in preheated oven, until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Note: If you have a bread maker all of this is much easier. Let your yeast germinate (let it rise and get foamy) in a small bowl for 10 minutes, then add it to everything else in your bread maker. Select the dough cycle. I handle the dough very little. Spray your counter with Pam, roll out the dough into a vague circle, then pick it up and use your fingers to form it into your pizza pan. Spread your sauce, sprinkle a layer of cheese, lay down your pepperoni (or whatever), and bake for 10 minutes. I remove the pizza quickly with the help of a spatula, and place it right on the oven rack for five more minutes. Put the pizza back on your tray and add some more cheese! I don't like to add all of the cheese at the beginning of the baking time. Slice it up and enjoy!

Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 chocolate cake mix
1 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetabl oil
3/4 cup water
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Grease your bundt cake pan. Bake @ 350 for about 1 hour. (I usually take it out after 50-55 minutes). After it cools, drizzle with chocolate icing or dust with powdered sugar. Very moist and delicious!

Favorite Sweet Cornbread

Ingredients:
½ cup Cornmeal
1 1/3 cups Flour
2/3 cups Sugar
1 Tbl. Baking powder
½ tsp. Salt
1/3 cup Oil
3 Tbl. Melted butter
2 Eggs
1 ¼ cups milk

Directions:
Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl. Combine milk, oil, butter, and eggs in small bowl; mix well. Add milk mixture to flour mixture. Pour into greased/floured 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Batter will seem runny. Don’t worry it works! I also make it in muffin tins so I can save some of the batter for another day and freeze un-eaten muffins. For muffins you only have to bake it for about 20 minutes. I also only add about 2 1/2 Tbl. of sugar instead of 2/3 cups to make it healthier. Not as sweet of course, but add some honey and you're good to go.

Homemade Chili

Ingredients:
½ lb. Chicken, sausage, beef (whatever you like)
¼ tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Pepper
1 med. Onion, chopped
1 med. Green pepper, chopped
28 oz. Diced tomatoes
15 oz. Kidney beans, drained
15 oz. Navy or great northern beans, drained
8 oz. Can tomato sauce
1 Garlic clove
1 ½ tsp. Dried basil
½ cup Salsa

1 can of corn

Directions:
1. Cook hamburger with salt and pepper. Add onion and bell pepper to skillet. Place remaining ingredients in the crockpot. Cook on High for 5 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours. You can just simmer on low for an hour or so on the stove also. Serve with yummy sweet cornbread.

We had it for dinner last night and it was really yummy. You can garnish it with sour cream and cheese too if you like.

FRUIT PIZZA

· 1 cup butter
· 1 cup powdered sugar
· 1/3 cup sugar
· 1 egg
· 2 ½ cups flour
· 2 tsp. baking soda
· 2 tsp. cream of tartar
· ½ tsp. vanilla extract
· ¼ tsp. almond extract

FILLING
· 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
· 1/3 cup sugar
· 1 tsp. vanilla extract
· 1 cup whipped topping
· Fresh fruit(strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mandarin oranges)

DIRECTIONSCream together the butter and sugars. Add egg and mix will. Mix in dry ingredients. Press into a pizza pan or cookie sheet and bake 12-15 minutes at 350. It should be a light golden brown. Don’t over bake.
Mix together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Add whipped topping and mix well. Spread over cooled cookie crust. Arrange fruit toppings and serve!

Note: I used a 13” pizza pan and the cookie crust ran over the edges and into the bottom of my oven while it was baking. Next time I will use a larger pizza pan or not press all of the cookie dough into my pan.

From the Kitchen of Julie Stoner