Frosting a Layered Cake

How to Frost a Layered Cake
Line the sides of your serving plate with strips of wax paper. Place the first layer of cake (right side up) on the wax paper. Frost only the top of the cake.
Gently place the second layer on top of the first. Cover in frosting. (It doesn't matter if crumbs mix with the frosting and it looks an Oreo cake - we'll fix that.)
Refrigerate for about an hour. This will help to set up the first layer of frosting.
Cover cake with second layer of frosting. Slide wax paper strips out from underneath cake. Serve.

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Slow Cooker Lasagna
12 lasagna noodles, uncooked (not the oven-ready kind)
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 T Italian seasoning
1 jar (28 oz) spaghetti sauce
1/4 c water
16 oz tub cottage cheese
2 c mozzarella cheese

1. Break noodles in half and line the bottom of a greased slow cooker with half of the noodles.
2. Stir Italian seasoning into cooked meat and spread half of it on top of the noodles.
3. Layer half of the sauce and water, and half of the cheeses over the beef.
4. Repeat layers once more; cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
*Do not cook longer than 5 hours.

Oreo Truffles

Oreo Truffles
1.5 rows of Oreos (I do not recommend Double Stuf)
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 c chocolate chips

1. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
2. Crush Oreos; mix with cream cheese.
3. Melt chocolate chips (I do it in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds, but you could also use double boiler).
4. Form cream cheese mixture into balls; roll in melted chocolate.
5. Place on wax paper; once all the balls are accounted for, place the cookie sheet in the fridge for at least an hour.

Honey Wheat French Bread

Honey Wheat French Bread
1.5 c warm water
2 T yeast (2 packets)
3 T honey (I substitute agave nectar)
2 c whole wheat flour
2 c all-purpose white flour
1 t salt
2 T olive oil

1. Grease and flour two loaf pans; preheat oven to 375*.
2a. Put all ingredients in bread mixer and mix.
2b. For standing mixer, or by hand, follow these directions:
-Pour water into bowl; add yeast and honey and lightly mix. Let sit for 2-3 minutes.
-Add flour and salt; stir in olive oil.
-Knead for 10 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic.
-Let sit, covered, in a warm place for about 30 minutes, until doubled in size.
3. Halve dough and form into two loaves (I just do this in my hands rather than flouring the countertop); place in loaf pans.
4. Brush tops of loaves with water and bake for 17 minutes.

Smooth Salsa

Smooth Salsa
3 cans of stewed tomatoes
1 jalapeno, seeded
1 bunch of cilantro, sans stems
2 cloves garlic
1 onion, diced
2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
salt and pepper to taste

1. Throw everything in the blender. Done.

Porcupines

Porcupines
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 egg
1 1/2 cups water, divided
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, rice, egg, 1/2 cup of water and onion. Blend in salt, celery salt, garlic powder and pepper. Mix well.
3. Shape into 1.5 inch balls. In a large skillet over med heat, brown the meatballs; drain fat.
4. In an 11x7-inch baking dish, combine the tomato sauce and 1 cup of water. Place the browned meatballs into the tomato sauce, turning to coat well.
5. Cover and cook for 45 min. Uncover, and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

I know the picture doesn't look great, but they taste good.

Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi Mud Cake
2 c sugar
2/3 c cocoa, separated
3 sticks butter, separated
1.5 c flour
4 eggs
2 t vanilla, separated
1 c chopped pecans or walnuts
1- 7oz jar marshmallow creme
6 T milk
2 c powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. Mix together sugar, 1/3 c cocoa, 2 sticks butter, flour, eggs, 1 t vanilla, and nuts. Pour into greased, floured 9x13 pan; bake for 30 minutes.
3. Spread marshmallow cream over cake while hot; let both cool while you make frosting.
4. Combine remaining ingredients (1 stick butter, milk, 1/3 c cocoa, powdered sugar, and 1 t vanilla) and spread over cooled cake.