Artichoke Pasta!

I am going to make this soon! It's similar to Johnny Carino's Artichoke Pasta! One of my favorites! :)


Artichoke Angel Hair Pasta!

4 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves fresh garlic finely diced
1 cup finely diced Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup finely diced black olives
1/4 cup capers
1 small jar of Artichoke hearts, halved
1 package angel hair pasta

Saute garlic in olive oil until done.
Add tomatoes, olives, capers, and artichoke hearts. Saute until done.
Serve over pasta.

You can also add grilled chicken breast if you'd like. (But I will pass on any meat! haha)

Pink Pancakes~

Thought these might be fun for the upcoming Holiday! :)

Pink Pancakes

3/4 cup water
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup beet, puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup pancake mix
1/4 cup grated apple
nonstick cooking spray
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
pure maple syrup (optional)
fresh fruit (optional)
powdered sugar

Directions:
1. In a blender or food processor, combine the water, ricotta cheese, beet puree, vanilla, and cinnamon.
2. Dump the cheese mixture into a medium bowl, add the pancake mix and apple. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix, you want the batter to be lumpy.
3. Coat a griddle with nonstick spray and heat to medium high. Add 1/2 tsp vegetable oil. Use 1/4 cup batter at a time and pour out pancakes. When you see bubbles start to form, it is time to flip the pancake. If the bottom is too brown, turn the heat down. It should take about 1 to 2 minutes per side!
4. Serve warm, garnish with maple syrup, fresh fruit, and powdered sugar.

ENJOY this tasty treat!

JOHNNY CARINO’S STUFFED MUSHROOMS

I went to Johnny's for my b-day and my friend ordered these! They were AMAZING! I just found this recipe and I actually still need to try it so if someone does before me and it doesn't work! I am sorry! But it looks pretty simple and I plan to make them this week!

Looking forward to making them! :) Yummy!


JOHNNY CARINO’S STUFFED MUSHROOMS

1/8 cup Chopped Garlic
4 cups Chopped Spinach
2/3 cup Diced Red Onion
2/3 cup Shredded Asiago Cheese
1/2 cup Romano Cheese
1/4 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 tsp Black Ground Pepper
1 1/2 Tbsp. Sauté Spice (equal parts salt, pepper, and garlic salt)
1 cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
1/2 cup Easy Eggs
Large Mushroom Caps - Stem Removed

GARNISH:
4 oz. Lemon Basil Cream Sauce
1/8 cup diced Roma tomatoes
1 Tbsp. Fresh Basil, Julienne
1 Tbsp. Parmesan Parsley mix

PREPARATION:
1. In a large metal mixing bowl, combine ingredients, except the mushroom caps.

2. Fold together all ingredients well, until mixture begins to form into a single mass.

3. Place approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of mixtures into each cap.
4. Place stuffed mushrooms caps on sheet pan stuffing side up

5. Bake in oven for 10 minutes at 375 degrees, remove and cool immediately.

6. Ladle heated Cream Sauce over mushrooms.

7. Top with diced Roma Tomatoes and sprinkle with fresh Basil strips.

8. Garnish with parmesan parsley mix and basil.

YIELD approximately 65 each

Baked Blueberry Pancakes~

When I went to see my sister, she shared this recipe.....yummy and they freeze well!

Baked Blueberry Pancakes

Prep/Total Time: 20 minutes

2 cup pancake mix

1 ½ cup fat-free milk

1 egg

1 Tbsp. Canola oil

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Butter & maple syrup

In a large bowl combine the pancake mix, milk, egg, oil, and cinnamon, just until blended. (batter will be lumpy). Fold in blueberries.

Spread into a greased 15x10x1 in. baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with butter and syrup. Yield 6 servings.

*if using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before adding to batter……

*I am thinking about making raspberr ones next time..... :)

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

I got recipe from Real Mom's Kitchen....I took it to a party and it was a big hit!

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

3 cups peeled and shredded zucchini
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup oil
1 tsp lemon extract (optional, which I used)
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
zest of 1 lemon
2 cups blueberries (I only used 1 1/2 cups)

Beat zucchini, sugar, eggs, oil, and lemon extract. Sift together dry ingredients and stir in with lemon zest. Fold in the blueberries gently. Pour into a well greased and floured Bundt cake pan. Bake at 325 for about 65 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean. Let sit in pan for 5-10 minutes, then invert onto cooling rack. Cool completely and frost with lemon cream cheese frosting.

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

3 Tbsp soft butter
3 oz soft cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
dash salt
zest of 1 lemon (2-3 tsp)
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (approximately)

Beat butter and cream cheese till smooth. Add powdered sugar, salt, zest, and enough lemon juice to make a spreadable consistency.

Enjoy!

Chiffon Salad~

I am in charge of the Hostess' for Miss Russet and we did the tea last week! This was our dessert! It is really good and simple, but does need to be prepared in advance. I just seved it in waffle bowls.....



Chiffon Salad~



4 cups boiling water

1 large cook and serve vanilla pudding

1 large jello



Set up in fridge for 5 hours.



Then mix jello/pudding mixture with large container of cool whip with electric mixer.



Refrigerate until ready to serve and enjoy.



*If using raspberry jello - added fresh raspberries when mixing in cool whip

*If using peach jello - add mandarin oranges when mixing in cool whip.

*Do not use Grape....I don't know why, but that is what I was told??

*Be Creative :)

Penne Pasta~

I still need to make this recipe, but I can't wait to enjoy it! It is from Jillian Micheals book...Master Your Metabolism.





Penne Pasta



2 cups penne pasta (Ezekiel)

2 cups tomato sauce

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

8 large basil leaves

1 1/2 tablespoons dry roasted unsalted almonds finely chopped.

Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)



Cook the pasta according to pkg. instructions. Set aside briefly. In a large mixing bowl or blender mix the tomato sauce, crushed red pepper, salt, basil, and almonds until smooth and combined. Place pasta in bowls and top with sacue & cheese, if using. Serve immediately

Cocoa Cola Cake~

This is really good and I am not a Coke fan?? Made it last night and took a sip of the left over coke and thought, how can this cake be so good with Coke in it! haha



Cocoa Cola Cake



2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup oil

3 TBSP. Cocoa

1 cup coke (not diet)

1 tsp soda in 3/4 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup mini marshmellows



In large bowl mix flour and sugar. In saucepan mix butter, oil, cocoa, and Coke. Bring to boil and pour over dry mixture, then add soda in buttermilk, eggs, vanilla. Mix well. Stir in marshmellows. Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Frost while warm.



Cocoa Cola Frosting

1/2 cup butter

3 TBSP. cocoa

6 TBSP. Coke

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

Powdered Sugar



Mix butter, cocoa, and coke in a sauce pan. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Add vanilla, nuts, and powdered sugar to thicken. Mix well and spread on hot cake!



ENJOY! SO YUMMY ;)

Cream Cheese Sheet Cake~

Delicious..........if you don't share you will eat the whole thing. I am not joking! :)





Cream Cheese Sheet Cake~





1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened


6 ounces cream cheese, softened


2 1/4 cups sugar


6 eggs


3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract


2 1/4 cups flour





Frosting~


1 cup sugar


1/3 cup evaporated milk


1/2 cup butter or margarine


1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate, but you could use semisweet.)





In a mixing bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add flour; mix well. Pour into a greased cookie sheet. (15x10x1 in) Bake at 325 degrees fro 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely. For frosting, combine sugar and milk in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover and cook for three minutes(do not stir). Stir in butter and chocolate chips until melted. Cool slightly. Stir; spread over cake. Yield 24-30 serings.

Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies~

I got this recipe from www.sistercafe.blogspot.com. They are really, really yummy! And easy! :)

1 cup (2 cubes) butter, softened, NOT MELTED
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 cup flour
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix butter and sugars - do not overmix. *The key to this recipe is minimal mixing - try a wooden sppon instead of a mixter. Add vanilla and eggs. Sift together dry ingredients and add them next. Mix until everything is combined. Add one package milk chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Take them out when they are barely brown.
Enjoy!

Turtle Bars~

I just received this recipe and haven't made it yet, but plan on making it this week!
Enjoy~I know I will when I get it made!

Turtle Bars

1 roll sugar cookie dough
2 cups semi sweet choc chips
2 cup pecans, chopped
2 cups almonds, chopped
1 12 oz. bottle caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cube butter
1 pkg. cinnamon graham crackers, crushed

Preheat oven to 350. Press cookie dough into bottom of 9x13 pan. Sprinkle 1 cup each of the chips and nuts on the dough and gently press into the dough. In medium saucepan, combine caramel, butter, sugar, and crushed graham crackers. Heat just until boiling, stirring occasionally. When the mixture boils, remove from heat and pour over chips and nuts. Sprinkle remaining chips and nuts over caramel mixture. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes, then loosen edges from pan. Wait until completely cool before cutting.

Raspberry Cool Whip Jello

YUMMY~ I am always looking for a jello recipe that I really like and have yet to find one, until this last week! I LOVED this one!

Raspberry Cool Whip Jello

1 package (3 oz.) raspberry jello
2/3 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
2 TBSP. sugar
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup skim milk
2 (9 oz) containers Cool Whip, thawed
fresh or frozen raspberries

1. Place Jello in large bowl. Add boiling water and stir until dissolved. Stir in cold water.
2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for half hour.
3. Meanwhile, beat sugar and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffly. Beat in milk. Stir in one container of Cool Whip.
4. Remove Jello mixture from refrigerator and stir in the remaining container of Cool Whip until completely smooth. (I also added raspberries to this portion - you can just garnish with raspberries, but I added them in this mixture as well and it was great!)
5. In a glass bowl with tall sides, pour half of the raspberry Jello mixture. Top with cream cheese-cool whip mixture. Top with remaining raspberry Jello mixture.
6. Refrigerate until set, about an hour. Garnish with more raspberries.

NOTE: recipe says low fat cream cheese and cool whip can be used as well.

Easter Blessing Rolls~

THESE ARE SO GOOD! I made them Easter morning and a few times since!
~the marshmallow melts and the roll is hollow; so a good object lesson to teach the Easter story.


1 package of marshmallows,
large1 package of frozen roll dough (THAWED). i.e. Rhodes Frozen Rolls
1/4 C butter, melted
6 Tablespoons of Sugar
1 tsp of Cinnamon

The Night Before: mix your cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl and then put the bowl to the side. Carefully open your package of now thawed dinner rolls and separate them. With your hands flatten each roll out into a small circle. Place a large marshmallow into the center of each circle. Pinch it closed, carefully making sure the seal is tight.Then roll it in your hands to make it more of a ball shape and hide the seams. Place it on a large cookie sheet with sides (or cake pan). While cooking the marshmallow make leak out and you don’t want a gooey mess in the bottom of your oven. Continue until all the dough is used. Melt your butter in the microwave for around 20 seconds. Then brush the melted butter generously onto each roll.Then sprinkle the rolls with your sugar/cinnamon mixture. Cover your rolls with a plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Easter Morning. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap and place your cookie sheet in the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. The smell will be so good you won’t want to wait too long before the whole family devours them.

Fresh Bruschetta Chicken-Stuffed Tomatoes~

Yummy, Yummy~

Dinner tonight~

2 cups Chicken - I used 6 chicken tenderlions (precook them)

1 cup fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup snipped fresh basil

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 large tomatoes

2 very thin slices firm textured whole wheat bread, toasted and cubed

2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese

1. Shred cooked chicken. In medium bowl, combine the 2 cups chicken, the spinach, green onions, basil, vinegar, oil, and garlic. Toss to evenly coat.

2.Cut a 1/4 inch thick slice from the stem end of each tomato; discard slices. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the tomato pulp, leaving a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick shell. place shells open sides up on a serving plate. Discard tomato seeds. Chop enough of the tomato pulp to measure 1/2 cup; discard remaing pulp. Stir the 1/2 cup tomato pulp into chicken mixture.

3. Divide chicken mixture amon the tomato shells. Top with bread cubes and cheese.

Enjoy :)

Symphony Candy Bar Fudge~

This is our FHE treat tonight! Really yummy and quick~

2 giant (8 oz.) Symphony Almond and Toffee Candy Bars
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

Crumble chocolate in a bowl and pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk over it.

Microwave 1 minute. Stir a little and microwave another minute. Stir again, it will be creamy.

Pour into greased 8x 10 pan or a similar size (I used a 9x7x2) If it is too runny, set in fridge for a few minutes!

Sour Cream Lasagna~

I received this recipe from my cousin-in-law, Devri. It is delicious! Thanks Devri!

Sour Cream Lasgna
1 pkg. Noodles
1 lb. ground beef
2 cans (8oz.) tomato soup (tomato sauce can also be used)
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
6 green onions
3/4 cup shredded cheese
Cook noodles in salted boiling water; drain when done. Brown meat, stir in tomato soup or sauce, salt, pepper, cottage cheese, sour cream, and onions. In a 2 qt. casserole dish, alternate layers of noodles, and meat sauce starting with noodles. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes! Baking time may vary!

Chocolate Kiss Cookies~

Chocolate Kiss Cookies

1 bag Hershey's kisses
1 cup butter softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup semi-sweet mini baking chips(I used Nestle mini morsels)

preheat oven to 375 degrees. remove wrappers from kisses. mix all ingredients together except kisses. mold a small amount of dough around the kiss and form into a ball. place on ungreased cookie sheet. bake 9-11 minutes. cool on wire rack. cool completely and drizzle with chocolate if desired.
For the drizzle use either hershey's chocolate shoppe topping or make your own by placing 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1 tsp shortening in microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir, if necessary, microwave for 20 more seconds or until choc. is melted and smooth. drizzle on cookies and enjoy.

Double Chocolate Banana Bread :)

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

I was looking all morning for a chocolate bread recipe! I found one the other night on a blog and couldn't find it again this morning! :( I was sad, but then I found this one at www.sistercafe.blogspot.com so I decided to give it a try! THIS IS VERY CHOCOLATEY(is that even a word?); I like dark-rich chocolate, but I am not convinced that Spencer liked it? Next time I may use Milk Chocolate chips and a little less cocoa? I will have to experiment with it!

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 1/4 cups mashed bananas (about 3)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350. Spray bottom of 8x4 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

2. Beat sugar, eggs, and oil in large bowl at medium speed until combined. Beat in banana and vanilla at low speed. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; beat into banana mixture at low speed just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

3 Spoon batter into pan. Bake 60-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.

Raspberry Sour Cream Muffins :)

DELICIOUS is all I can say! ;) I just made these for Breakfast in the morning and I don't think they are going to make it until morning!

This recipe is similar to one recently posted on the Idea Door for Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins, but I changed it to our favorite! ;)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1 1/4 cups sour cream, (10 ounces)
1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries (or blueberries)

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin tin or use paper foils.
2. Whisk flour and baking soda in medium bowl until combined. Whisk eggs in second medium bowl until well-combined and light-colored; about 20 seconds. Add sugar and whisk vigorously until thick and homogeneous, about 30 seconds; add melted butter in 2 or 3 additions, whisking to combine after each addition. Add sour cream in 2 additions, whisking just to combine.
3. Add frozen raspberries(blueberries) to dry ingredients and gently toss just to combine. Add sour cream mixture and fold with rubber spatula until batter comes together and berries are evenly distributed, 25-30 seconds. (Small spots of flour may remain and batter will be thick. Do not over-mix.)
4. Use ice cream scoop or large spoon to drop batter into greased muffin tin. Bake until light golden brown and inserted toothpick comes out clean, 25-30 minutes, rotating pan from front to back halfway through baking time. Invert muffins onto wire rack, stand muffins upright, and cool 5 minutes. Serve as is or with the cinnamon sugar topping below! (Yummy)

Cinnamon/Sugar topping
While muffins are cooling, mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon in small bowl and melt 4 tablespoons butter in small saucepan. After baked muffins have cooled 5 minutes, working one at a time, dip top of each muffin in melted butter and then cinnamon/sugar. Set muffins upright on wire rack.

Italian Roll~

Last night for dinner we had this! I was in a hurry trying to get it out of the oven and on the table before I left for dance so the pictures aren't the greatest, but it would be hard to explain how to do it without pictures! I wish I would of taken one before I braided the roll? I will try and explain?

To make you will need a loaf of Rhodes frozen bread or you can make your own! I didn't have time yesterday to make my own! :( Then your favorite pizza toppings! Since I don't eat much meat ours are pretty simple, sauce, cheese, olives, Italian seasoning, and Spencer likes Pepperoni. Also you will need a couple egg whites. For my sauce I used Shirley J's pizza and pasta sauce with tomato sauce! Yummy! :)
1. Roll out dough into a rectangle. (at least 10-12 inches wide)
2. Place on a greased baking sheet; I used a cookie sheet.
3. Imagine dough in thirds; one third in center will be left to place filling, and the two sides will be cut to braid. Cut dough horizontal on long sides of rectangle about one inch wide. Leaving the center to place the pizza fillings! (DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?) I might need to make it again and take a picture??? Hopefully the picture below helps!
4. Place fillings in center! Sauce, cheese, etc.! :)

5. Starting at the top, fold one side then the opposite side. Continue until you have a braid!p.s. the girls helped me so we kindof had a mess and toppings everywhere!

6. Beat the egg whites and brush on braid.
7. If desired sprinkle top with Italian Seasoning!

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until brown! LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOU ARE CONFUSED AND I NEED TO EXPLAIN BETTER?Sorry this picture really isn't good! I wanted to get one when it was baked and this is what I ended up with! No time to transfer into on to a pretty serving dish! :(

Enjoy! We had a yummy green salad with ours last night!