Classic Chex Mix

Classic Chex Mix
3 c corn Chex
3 c wheat Chex
3 c rice Chex
2 c pretzel sticks
2 c mixed nuts
1/2 c butter
3 T Worcestershire sauce
6-12 dashes Tabasco sauce
3-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 t seasoned salt
1/4 t onion powder

1. Preheat oven to 250* and line two baking sheets with foil.
2. In a large bowl, mix cereal, pretzels, and nuts.
3. In a small bowl, mix remaining ingredients and microwave until butter is melted; stir together and toss with cereal mixture.
4. Transfer mix to baking sheet and bake for 75 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Mississippi Roast

Mississippi Roast
about 3 lb chuck roast
pepper and seasoned salt, to taste
1 oz envelope Ranch mix
1 1/4 oz envelope au jus mix
1/4 c butter, cut into pats
5-10 pepperchinis

1. Place roast in slow cooker and sprinkle with pepper, seasoned salt, Ranch mix, and au jus mix.
2. Arrange butter pats on roast and then peppers on top of the butter.
3. Turn slow cooker on low and cook for 8 hours.

Whoopie Pies

Whoopie Pies
5 T butter, melted
2/3 c sugar
1/3 c brown sugar
1 c sour cream
1 t vanilla
3/4 c flour
1/4 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
7 T unsweetened cocoa

1. Preheat oven to 350* and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine butter and sugars; stir in sour cream and vanilla.
3. In a small bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, and cocoa; stir in to wet mixture.
4. Spoon batter on to cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until tops are slightly cracked.

Filling:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 c butter, softened
1/2 t vanilla
1 1/4 c powdered sugar

1. In a small bowl, whip cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together; beat in powdered sugar. Be generous on cookies to make sandwiches.

Makes 8-9 sandwiched cookies.

Baked Beans

Baked Beans

1 lb bacon, chopped

1 large sweet onion, finely chopped

4- 15 oz cans pork and beans

1/2 c molasses

1/4 c brown sugar

1-2 T mustard

1. Preheat oven to 350*.

2. In a large pan, fry bacon until crispy; spoon bacon on to paper towel to drain. Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving a little bit in the pan.

3. Place onion in reserved bacon grease and saute until softened. Stir in beans, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and bacon.

4. Pour beans into a 9x13 pan and bake for about 45 minutes.

 

 

Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti Sauce
3-4 T olive oil
1 onion, diced
6-8 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t red pepper flakes
1 T basil
2 t oregano
1- 12 oz can tomato paste
1- 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
3- 14.5 oz cans Italian stewed tomatoes
2 t sugar
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, basil, and oregano; saute for about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste and stir for 2-3 minutes; stir in tomatoes with juice and simmer, uncovered, for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper before serving.

Chicken Bryan

Chicken Bryan
1 T minced garlic
1 T minced onion
2 T butter
6 T balsamic vinegar
juice of 2 lemons (1/4 c)
2/3 c cold butter, cubed
1 1/2 c sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 c fresh basil, chopped
1/2 t salt, plus a little more
1 t pepper, separated
6 boneless chicken breasts
olive oil
8 oz goat cheese, at room temperature

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute garlic and onion in butter until soft; stir in vinegar and lemon juice, increase heat to medium-high, and simmer to reduce to half.
2. Reduce heat to low and stir in butter, one piece at a time; stir in tomatoes, basil, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper; remove from heat and set aside.
3. Brush chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper; grill over hot coals until cooked through, about 7-10 minutes on each side. A few minutes before chicken is done, place equal amounts of goat cheese on each piece.
Serve topped with tomato sauce.

Southwestern Chicken Pasta

Southwestern Chicken Pasta

1/4 c olive oil
1 T minced garlic
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
4 roma tomatoes, chopped
1- 16 oz bag frozen corn
1/4 c chopped cilantro
1 bunch green onions, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/4 t cumin
1 t oregano
3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 lb small pasta (bowtie, rotini, macaroni, etc)

1. In a large pan, heat oil, garlic, and peppers over medium heat; saute about 5 minutes.
2. Add everything except the pasta and heat over medium-low heat.
3. Meanwhile cook pasta to al dente; drain pasta and toss with chicken mixture.

Bread Bowls

Bread Bowls
1 1/2 T yeast
2 1/2 c warm water
2 t salt
2 T vegetable oil
up to 7 c flour
1 T cornmeal

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water; let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Add salt, oil, and 4 cups flour; beat well. Stir in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until soft but not sticky dough forms.
3. Turn dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl; place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 40 minutes.
4. Punch down dough and divide into 6-8 balls. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet that's been sprinkled with cornmeal; score balls. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 35 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 400*; bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown.
Carefully cut a hole in the top of the bowl and scoop out the insides; fill with soup.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

4 eggs
1- 15 oz can pumpkin puree
1 c heavy whipping cream
1 c half & half
3 T melted butter, cooled
1 1/2 c sugar
2 t vanilla
1 T pumpkin pie spice
1 loaf day-old bread, diced into small pieces
Caramel Sauce:
1 c butter, softened
1 c heavy whipping cream
1 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c toasted pecans, chopped (opt)

1. Preheat oven to 350* and lightly grease a 9x9 pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin, cream, half & half, butter, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Toss in bread pieces and coat evenly.
3. Pour everything into the pan, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake for an additional 45-55 minutes.
4. Make the sauce toward the end of the bread pudding baking time. In a medium pot, stir together butter, cream, and brown sugar; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, stir in pecans, and cook until it begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Pour over bread pudding just before serving.

Pesto Chicken

Pesto Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1/2 c pesto
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400* and line a cookie sheet with foil.
2. In a medium bowl, toss chicken in pesto.
3. Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes.
4. Place tomatoes and cheese on chicken breasts; bake for another 3-5 minutes, until cheese is melted.
Serve over pasta.

Tomato Pie

Tomato Pie
6-7 Roma tomatoes
1/2 red onion, diced
1- 9" pie shell, prebaked
1/4 c fresh chopped basil
1 c Mozzarella cheese
1 c Cheddar cheese
3/4 c mayonnaise
1 t Frank's RedHot sauce, or more, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. Cut tomatoes in half horizontally, deseed and remove excess juice, and then roughly chop. Lightly salt the tomatoes and set them in a colander over a bowl to drain for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Place onions in the bottom of the pie shell. With a clean cloth, squeeze as much remaining juice out of the tomatoes as you can before layering them on the onions; sprinkle basil over tomatoes.
4. In a medium bowl, combine cheeses, mayonnaise, hot sauce, and a pinch each of salt and pepper; spread over basil.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until lightly browned.

Mini French Toast

Mini French Toast
3 eggs
1/2 c half & half
1/2 c milk
1/2 t cinnamon
1 day-old French baguette, sliced into 1" slices
1-2 T butter

1. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, half & half, milk, and cinnamon. (At this point, you could cover and refrigerate overnight.)
2. Soak bread slices in batter for about 2 minutes each.
3. Place a pan over medium-high heat and melt about a tablespoon of butter; place bread slices in pan and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3 minutes per side. Melt more butter in the pan each batch, if needed.

One Pot Southwest Pasta

One Pot Southwest Pasta
1 lb rotini
2 c frozen corn
1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 sm red onion, sliced
1- 10 oz can Rotel
4 t chili powder
1 1/2 t cumin
1 1/2 t garlic powder
1 t red pepper flakes
1 t salt
2 t olive oil
4 c chicken broth
1- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c Cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
sour cream (opt)
avocados (opt)

1. In a large pot, combine pasta, vegetables, Rotel, spices, olive oil, and chicken broth; cover and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat, and add beans and cheese; let rest for 5 minutes before serving with sour cream and/or avocados.

Grilled Peaches

Grilled Peaches
1 stick butter, softened
2 t cinnamon
3 T sugar
4 large peaches, halved and pitted

1. In a small bowl, whip together butter, cinnamon, and sugar.
2. Place peaches, flesh side up, on grill over high heat; grill until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes.
3. Flip peaches over and spoon butter mixture into pit holes; grill, lid closed, for another minute.

Grilled Zucchini

Grilled Zucchini
1/4 c olive oil
1 t garlic powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1/2 t Mrs Dash, or other season blend

2 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise


1. Place oil and spices in a large ziploc bag; toss zucchini in and shake to coat.
2. Grill for about 5-7 minutes on each side.

Peas & Carrots

Peas & Carrots
3 carrots, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into 1/2" chunks
1 t salt, separated
1/2 t pepper
4 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/2 c water
5 T butter, cut into 5 pieces
2 T minced onion

1. In a small bowl, toss carrots in 1/2 t salt and set aside.
2. In a food processor, process 1 cup peas, water, and 1/2 t salt until smooth; set aside.
3. In a medium pan over medium heat, melt 1 T butter; add onion and the carrots with any liquid. Cover and cook until carrots are just softened, about 7 minutes.
4. Add remaining 3 cups peas and cook, stirring occasionally, until peas are heated through.
5. Stir in pea puree and 1/2 t pepper, bring to a simmer, and cook until sauce starts to thicken.
6. Take off heat and stir in remaining butter until melted.

S'mores Bars

S'mores Bars
1 sleeve graham cracker sheets, crushed
6 T melted butter + 1/2 c softened butter
2 T + 3/4 c sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla 
1 1/4 c flour
1/4 t salt
1/4 t baking powder
1- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 c chocolate chips
1 1/2 c mini marshmallows

1. Preheat oven to 350* and grease a 9x13 pan.
2. In a small bowl, combine graham crackers, 6 T melted butter, and 2 T sugar; press into the bottom of the pan.
3. Beat remaining 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl until creamy; add egg and vanilla until just combined. Add flour, salt, and baking powder.
4. Very carefully spread the cookie dough over the graham cracker crust*.
5. Sprinkle chocolate chips and marshmallows over cookie dough and then pour milk over everything.

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Let cool before cutting.

*Try flattening it in your hand before laying it on the graham crackers.

Blueberry Cobbler

Blueberry Cobbler
4 c fresh blueberries
1 c flour
1 c sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/2 c mayonnaise

1. Preheat oven to 350* and lightly grease a 9x9 pan.
2. Place blueberries in the bottom of the pan.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, and cinnamon; stir in mayonnaise. Spoon over blueberries.
4. Bake for about 40 minutes, until crust is light brown.

Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread
4 c + 1 T flour, separated
1/4 c sugar
1 t baking soda
1 1/2 t salt
1 3/4 c cold buttermilk
1 egg
1 t orange zest
1 c craisins

1. Preheat oven to 375* and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In an electric mixer bowl, combine 4 cups flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt; mix together with paddle attachment and then mix in butter on low speed.
3. In a small bowl, beat buttermilk, egg, and orange zest; slowly add to mixer bowl.
4. Toss craisins with remaining tablespoon of flour; mix in to dough. Dough will be pretty wet.
5. Place the dough on a well-floured surface, knead it into a round loaf, and place it on parchment paper. Score an X into the top of the loaf.
6. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. It should have a hollow sound when tapped. Cool on baking rack.

Lemon Blueberry Crunch Cake

Lemon Blueberry Crunch Cake
1 1/2 c flour
6 T cornmeal
3/4 t baking powder
3/4 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
1/2 c plain yogurt (do not use fat-free)
1/2 c sugar
1 egg + 1 egg white
3 t lemon zest
3/4 t vanilla
6 T butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 c fresh blueberries
powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 300*; grease a springform pan and line with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla; slowly whisk in butter.
4. Mix dry mixture in to wet mixture until just incorporated; gently fold in blueberries.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan and gently tap pan on counter to release any air bubbles.
6. Place a wire rack on top of a jelly roll pan or cake pan and then add water to cover the rack; place springform pan on rack.
7. Bake for 60 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out on to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Meat-Stuffed French Bread

Meat-Stuffed French Bread
1 loaf French bread
1 lb ground beef
2 T finely diced onion
1/2 c chopped celery
1/2 c chopped carrots
1 t minced garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 T milk
2 t Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 c Cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350*. Slice French bread in half, lengthwise, and tear out as much of the middle of the bread as you can. Place the torn pieces in a large bowl, making sure that they are pretty small pieces. Set the bread crusts on a large baking sheet and set aside.
2. In a large pan, brown ground beef and onion together over medium-high heat. Drain grease and add celery, carrots, and garlic; cook a few minutes until vegetables are tender.
3. Add soup, milk, and Worcestershire sauce, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
4. Toss beef mixture with bread pieces and spoon in to one bread crust, sprinkle with cheese, and top with other bread crust.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted; remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Creamy Tomato Spinach Ravioli

Creamy Tomato Spinach Ravioli
1 (25 oz or more) bag frozen ravioli
2 t minced garlic
1 c fresh spinach, chopped
1- 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 1/2 t basil
1 t onion flakes
2 T flour
1 1/2 c half and half (or cream)
1/4 c Parmesan cheese

1. Boil ravioli until al dente.
2. Meanwhile, in a large pan over medium heat, heat garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds; add spinach, tomatoes, salt, pepper, basil, and onion flakes. Stirring frequently, bring mixture to a simmer.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and half and half; add to pan, along with Parmesan cheese.
4. Heat through and then turn heat down to medium low; stir until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes.
5. Add ravioli to pan and toss gently.

Bacon Honey Mustard Chicken

Bacon Honey Mustard Chicken
4 chicken breasts
3/4 c honey
1/2 c yellow mustard
12 slices raw bacon
1 c Mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375*.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey and mustard.
3. Wrap three pieces of bacon around each chicken breast and place them in a baking dish; pour honey mustard evenly over chicken.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes until juices run clear and the bacon is cooked.
5. Switch the oven to broil, top chicken with cheese, and broil for a few minutes until cheese is melted.

Coconut Bars

Coconut Bars

1 c butter, softened, separated
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 T [light] sour cream
1 1/2 t vanilla, separated
1 1/2 t coconut extract, separated
2 1/2 c flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t + pinch salt

1 c shredded coconut, toasted
2 c powdered sugar

2-3 T half & half (or milk)

1. Preheat oven to 375*; line a 9x13 with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
2. In a stand mixer, cream together 1/2 cup butter and sugar; add eggs, sour cream, 1 t vanilla, and 1 t coconut extract. Mix until well combined.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, and 1/2 t salt. Press dough into pan and poke several times with a fork.
4. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until lightly browned on edges; cool completely.
5. In a medium bowl, beat together remaining 1/2 cup butter, powdered sugar, and half & half until light and fluffy; whip in remaining 1/2 t vanilla, 1/2 t coconut extract, and pinch of salt.
6. Fold in toasted coconut, reserving about 1/4 cup; spread frosting over bars and sprinkle with reserved coconut.

White Arugula Pizza

White Arugula Pizza
12 oz refrigerated pizza dough
2 t olive oil
6 cloves garlic, crushed
2/3 c ricotta cheese
2 T mayonnaise
1 t thyme
1/4 t pepper
1/3 c Parmesan cheese
1/4 c Mozzarella cheese
1 t fresh lemon juice
1 t balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 c baby arugula


1. Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500*; bring dough out of fridge.
2. Heat a small pan over medium heat and add oil; add garlic and cook until lightly browned. Remove garlic with slotted spoon and reserve oil.
3. Combine garlic, ricotta, mayonnaise, thyme, pepper, and Parmesan in a medium bowl and mix until almost smooth.
4. On a floured surface, roll out dough to a little bit smaller than the pizza stone and pierce dough with a fork. Lay dough on the pizza stone and bake for 5 minutes.
5. Spread ricotta mixture on crust and sprinkle with Mozzarella; bake for 10 minutes until crust and cheese are lightly browned.
6. Combine reserved oil, lemon juice, and vinegar in a medium bowl; toss in arugula.
7. Top pizza with arugula mixture.