Greek Chicken Kabobs!

I love these and they are very simple!



1/2 cup KRAFT Greek Vinaigrette Dressing
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Mayonnaise
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 red onion, cut into small wedges
1 lemon, halved



COMBINE dressing and mayo; pour into large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken; seal bag. Turn bag over several times to evenly coat chicken with the dressing mixture. Refrigerate at least 20 min. or up to 2 hours to marinate.



PREHEAT grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade; discard bag and marinade. Thread chicken and onions alternately onto 16 wooden skewers.



GRILL 8 to 10 min. or until chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, place lemon, cut-sides down, on grill grate next to kabobs. Squeeze lemon juice over kabobs just before serving.

BBQ chicken and corn salad

This is from this months issue of realsimple. The Corn salad is to die for!!! You gotta try it while the corn in the stores is still fresh, yummy and cheap!!

1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper
Canola oil, for the grill
6 ears corn, shucked
1 tablespoon (or more) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 scallions (or fresh chives), sliced
Place twenty 8-inch wooden skewers in water to soak.
Heat grill to medium-high. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, honey, and Worcestershire sauce; set aside.Slice the chicken lengthwise into twenty 1/2-inch-thick strips. Thread each strip onto a wooden skewer. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Lightly oil the grill. Cook the chicken, turning occasionally, until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes, basting with the ketchup mixture during the last 2 minutes of cooking.Meanwhile, grill the corn,(no need to wrap with foil, just watch carefully) turning occasionally, until slightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Cut the kernels off the cobs, place in a medium bowl, and toss with the butter, scallions, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Serve with the chicken. Yield: Makes 4 servings

Mini Cheesecakes

Baby Cheese Cakes

Betty Crocker sugar cookie dough in the bag and make according to pkg.
Put sm. scoop 3/4 full into mini muffin pan and smash down
w/floured tart shaper bake 325 for 8 or 9 minutes til lightly brown
take out and smash down again w/floured tart shaper - twist and spin it.

Filling: 2 - 8 oz. pkgs. of softened cream cheese
2 teaspn. lemon juice
2 - 8 oz. cups of powdered sugar
Mix w/mixer and fill cooled cookie cups

Top w/favorite pie filling cherry, strawberry, blueberry

Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread

This makes a great breakfast. We love it toasted with butter or cream cheese. Or you can use it to make irresistable french toast. Also tasty with peanut butter. My family loves it!



Directions:

Make your favorite bread dough. (Wheat or White) My favorite is shown below

Divide dough into 1 1/2 lb. sections

Roll out one at a time into a rectangle 1/4" thick. Sprinkle with Cinnamon sugar. (2 parts sugar/ 1 part cinnamon) sprinkle raisins over the entire rectangle. I use about 1/3 c. per loaf. Raisins can be omitted. Roll up like a cinnamon roll. Instead of cutting into rolls, place into well-greased or sprayed loaf pan. Bake according to regular bread baking instructions. Remove from pans immediately. Cool completely before storing.

Little Red Hen (Whole Wheat) Bread

Happy Independence Day!

I filled this loaf pan a little more than I like... so it's really big!

Ingredients:

7 c. freshly ground whole wheat flour

5-7 c. high gluten bread flour

2 Tbsp. SAF yeast

6 c. hot water (140 degrees F.)

1/2 c. canola oil

1/2 c. honey

2 Tbsp. salt

2 Tbsp. dough enhancer (optional; however, it improves the texture and shelf life of the baked bread)

Directions:

Combine 7 cups wheat flour, 2 cups white flour and yeast in Bosch bowl with dough hook. Pour in hot water and mix 1 minute. Let sponge (sit) 10-15 minutes. Add oil, honey, salt and additional flour until dough cleans the sides of the bowl.

As the motor bears down, turn to speed two, add dough enhancer and knead on speed two for 4-5 minutes. (This develops the gluten.) If too sticky, add additional white flour to eliminate stickiness. Take immediately out of bowl. Fill loaf pans 1/2 to 2/3 full. Cover with plastic wrap. Let raise until doubled. Remove plastic.

Place in cold oven. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake appx. 20 minutes. The best way to test doneness is to insert a thermometer into the center of the loaf. The bread is done when it reaches an internal temp. of 190 degrees. The next best way is to tap on the top crust. It should sound hollow.

Dump bread from pans immediately onto cooling racks. Cool completely before storing. (Steam makes the bread soggy and more likely to grow mold.)

I got the recipe from my local Bosch store's cooking class.

Mini Ham Quiche

Mini Ham Quiche

Ingredients:

• 1 package processed ham (2.5 oz) finely chopped (or 2.5 oz chopped bacon)


• 2 Tbsp fine chopped yellow onion


• 1/2 C Swiss or Cheddar cheese


• 1 Egg


• 1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley


• 1 1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard


• 1/8 tsp ground pepper


• 1 package refrigerated cresent rolls

Instructions:

1. Beat egg


2. Combine all ingredients except cresent rolls


3. Unroll cresent dough and press edges of triangle pieces together to from 1 large rectangle


4. using pizza cutter, cut dough into 24 pieces


5. 5. press 1 square into each greased cup of mini muffin tin using spoon or finger


6. 6. using small scoop, fill each muffin cup with 1/2 to 3/4 full scoop.


7. 7. Bake 350 for 12-14 min

I made this for my moms birthday party and they were excellent! Somehow the picture of the finished product was erased, so please use your imagination!

Variation: I tripled this recipe+ 1 extra egg and used a pie crust (and pie tin obviously) to make a full sized version and it was every bit as good!

Chicken Pot Pie...Super Easy!

To start you are going to need:
3 Chicken Breast, cooked and cut into small pieces
2 Potatoes, cooked and cut into small pieces
2 cups of veggies, cooked (corn, carrots, peas.. etc.)
You can also use cans of the above, you would need probably 2
I pkg of Cream Cheese
1 can of Chicken Gravy
I pkg of Pastery Pie (I believe that is what they are called)
Any spices that you love

Step 1:
Once everything is cooked you can put that aside and soften the Cream Cheese and Chicken gravy on the stove. Once that is creamy add in the veggies and chicken. Put all the seasonings that you love. I used Garlic salt, Italian seasoning, Oregano.. etc.

Step 2:

Use one of the pastery's and put it on the bottom and have it look like above. You will put that in the oven for 15 mins.(make sure you spray the bottom) Once that comes out add everything in it.

Step 3:

Put the last pastery on top with some holes. Cook for around 20 mins. You will want to check it every now and then. I have found that sometimes it cooks faster then the last time. Just until it is alittle golden brown.

It is so yummy and easy. The best left overs for lunch the next day too.

Enjoy!

Baby Pecan Pies

Tart Shells
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour

Filling
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecan halves, finely chopped
Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350°F. For tart shells, beat butter and cream cheese in bowl until well blended. Add flour; mix until a soft dough forms.
2.Using Small Scoop, shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls of dough into ungreased cups of Mini-Muffin Pan. Dip Mini-Tart Shaper, (or fingers) in flour; press into dough with even pressure until dough rises slightly above rim of pan.
3.For filling, place butter in seperate bowl; microwave on HIGH 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Finely chop pecans; add to batter bowl and mix well.
4.Using Small Scoop, fill each tart shell with level scoop of filling (do not overfill). Bake 20-25 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven; cool in pan 3 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling Rack; cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
Yield: 24 tarts

To store tarts, cool completely, then place in a tightly covered container. For longer storage, freeze up to 1 month.

Low fat mini chocolate muffins!

A good friend of mine made these and I wasn't sure if I wanted to taste one after she told me the ingredients! I am glad I did though! They are delicious!

1 box extra moist chocolate cake mix

1 egg

1 16oz can of pumpkin puree (you cannot taste the pumpkin)

1 cup chocolate chips (I like the mini chips)

Mix ingredients together. Bake at 350, 13 minutes for mini muffins 30 minutes for regular muffins.

White Chicken Chili!

This is one of my favorite recipes. I like it so much I even make it in 90 degree weather!

1lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 medium onion, diced

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 (15oz) cans of great northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 (14oz) can of chicken broth

1 (4oz) can of chopped green chilies

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. of pepper

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup whipping cream

Saute chicken, onion, and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chillies, and seasonings. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream and whipping cream.

I serve with shredded cheese on top and corn bread on the side!

Welcome Whit, Ashli and Janae

We have three new bloggers!! Whitney is my bestest friend from highschool. Ashli is a new friend and ward member from Columbus. And Janae is a cousin of mine, amelia, heidi, and Ashlee S. Welcome Welcome!!!

Chocolate Chip Fudgey Cups

2 pkgs pull-apart cookies
1/2 bag of MILK chocolate chips
2-3 TBSP milk
Mini cupcake tins

Okay, so my pics aren't that great but these are very simple and yummy! They are a hit with every age group. I love making them for YW or RS events. Of course for FHE too! I made this batch to go camping, they tend to pack a little nicer and last longer than regular cookies (which end up in pieces) I have always used the Safeway brand of pull-apart cookies(economical reasons only) I am told that the Nestle Turtle pull-aparts are awesome. I have tried it with normal cookie dough and it doesn't work very well--the cookie itself turns out too soft.
Pull apart cookie and roll into a ball. (this picture shows "mini" only because they were out of the regular size--if I use the "mini" I roll two sections together) Place into mini-cupcake tins sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake according to package directions.
Let cool for 1-2 minutes and then, with a pizza cutter gently press in the center. (don't go clear to the bottom--just enough to make a "cup") Let cool for another 8 minutes and then dump out of pan and cool upside down.
With a half of a bag of MILK choco-chips and 2-3 TBSP of milk place in microwave for 20-30 seconds. Then stir 'till smooth
Spoon melted chocolate mixture into the formed cup. Let cool then serve. I am not always my mother's daughter, can you imagine my mom using store bought cookie dough? That's funny to think about! I'm sure even my MOM would eat these. If I have time I like to chill them, then the chocolate sets more. My family loves them right away!!! ENJOY--and no mocking!!!

Foil Vegetables on the fire (or grill)

This was a saved post and it looked complete so I hope you don't mind Nicole, but I am publishing it!

Colorful Veggies in Foil
Ingredients:
1 zucchini squash, chopped into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 yellow squash, chopped into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 lb. mushrooms, quartered
1 pkg. cherry or grape tomatoes
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
2/3 c. Kraft Zesty Italian dressing
Parmesan Cheese

Wash and cut all veggies. Toss with dressing to coat. Attach 2 pieces of foil together by folding edges 3 times. (like if you were sewing a hem) Dump all veggies onto foil.
Fold sides up over the ends of the veggies.
Close top by bringing last 2 sides together and "hemming" the last 2 pieces together. This is how it looks when it is done.
I cooked mine on coals in a firepit. The coals or briquettes should be grayish. This means they are hot enough to cook the food. We used really dry firewood and it took about 30-40 mins. to get them hot enough. To be safe, plan on an hour.Place foil dinners directly on hot coals. Cook about 6 minutes per side. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and serve.

I got this recipe from Kraft Foods' Food and Family Magazine, recipe can also be found online: http://kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/sensational-foil-pack-vegetables-106267.aspx

You can also cook them on the grill. Cook 3-4 minutes, then flip over and cook another 3 mins.

*This same meal we also had foil dinners.

Homemade Pasta...

I don't know if you guys will like this one but, my kids love to make this...that's how easy it is
2 1/3 c flour
1 tsp seasoning of your choice (optional) ie basil, sage, marjoram really anything works
1/2 tsp salt
2 beaten eggs
1/3 c water
1 tsp cooking oil or evoo Step 1- Mix together flour, spice, salt in large mixing bowl
Step 2- Beat eggs in seperate dish with water and oil
Step 3- Mix dry ingredients well and then make a "well" in the middle and then pour in egg mixture in center of the "well"
Step 4- Mix with a fork flour and egg mixture. It will take a few minutes to get the right texture it starts out crumbly but then turns into a nice dough like texture...as seen below
Step 5- divide dough in to four sections

Step 6- Roll each section out with a rolling pin about a quarter inch thick. You can cut into strips or if you have a pasta maker roll it through your pasta maker. You can get creative and make cute bow tie pasta or whatever--because my kids make this I end up with funky strips. (it tastes fine even though the presentation might not be as great as Ashlee's)
these are the funky strips I end up with...
Step 7-Boil the fresh noodles for about 3 minutes sometimes this takes less or more time depending on how thick you make your noodles.
Step 8- Drain and serve...serve with whatever kind of sauce or meat. Below Britt did just plain old marinera sauce with some grilled chicken. This really is so easy if you've never done it and I love the taste of homemade pasta. My kids love to add parmesean cheese into the dry mixture and it actually makes yummy cheesy pasta.
I hope you give it a try! Jay had a great time documenting our Pasta Process...

Summer Splash Pasta Salad

By Ben & Ash

Hey y'all! Ben and I came up with this little dish this evening. Ben wanted a pasta salad so we went to the grocery store and bought some veggies and this is the end result. So delicious!! It was a very easy, fast, healthy and tasty meal. Enjoy!

Our first rule for making ANY meal is to do all prep work first! Meaning, chop veggies, clean your meat, if using canned items, open all cans, etc.

Ben does not follow recipes, he just makes it up as he goes so everything is just kind of "to taste" and what not in this recipe. :) Use as much or as little of whatever vegetable you want.
This is how we did it...

7-8 asparagus stalks (is it called a stalk??? Anyway...)
4 mini sweet peppers (they come in a carton at Costco)
6 cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
Half of a box of bow tie pasta
Italian dressing to taste
Fresh chopped basil and fresh ground pepper to season
Feta cheese

Cook pasta and drain.
Sautee asparagus and peppers to tender crisp in about 1 tsp. olive oil.
Grill, broil, or "Foreman" your chicken.
Shred or chop chicken.
Combine all ingredients, minus Feta in a bowl.
Sprinkle with Feta cheese upon serving.
Enjoy as a main dish with a crusty roll or as a side salad.
*Serve with white wine. :)

Pumpkin Cookies

...or should i call these our "weekly treat"...because that's what they've turned into! SERIOULSY, I'm addicted to these things. The good thing is they aren't COMPLETELY bad for you....and they're so dang easy!


*PREHEAT OVEN 375 degrees

• 1 box Spice Cake mix
  
• 1 (15oz.) can pumpkin
  
• 1/4 c. applesauce (opt) for moisture
• semisweet chocolate chips (i prefer mini chips)

*Mix first 3 ingredients well then fold in amount of chocolate chips desired.

*Drop batter onto baking sheets (teaspoon size or bigger) and bake for about 15 minutes. My oven in Ohio cooks a little hot, so i cook at 355 degrees for 15 minutes.

These are very moist (eek, i hate that word) cookies! The texture is a little different, so if weird textures bother you, you may not like them. That's ok though, that means there's more for me!

ENJOY!!!!!

Market Street Potatoes (on a budget)

My favorite side dish is the Market Street Potatoes that Market Street serves with their brunch. However last year I came across the recipe and made it, but it cost over $20 just in the cheeses that the recipe calls for. So this is my fake and cost effective version of it. although definitely not the same, still pretty good.

Serve with breakfast or dinner!
serves 6-8 people

Ingredients:

4lbs red potato cut into large bite-sized pieces
3-5 green onions chopped
2 oz cream cheese (optional) diced
sour cream
grated cheddar cheese
real bacon bits to taste

Take washed and chopped potatoes and mix with enough sour cream to generously cover all the potatoes. I used about 1/4 of the tub, but the more you add, the better!! Note: to reduce cooking time microwave the potatoes for 6-10 minutes before mixing with other ingredients. Then mix in green onions, cream cheese, bacon, and a couple hand fulls of cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper, garlic, season salt or whatever you have in your cupboards. Top with a generous helping of cheddar cheese. Bake covered in pyrex @ 350 until potatoes are soft. (If you don't microwave first that will be at least 90 minutes)

So here is the deal

So i want to invite those who are interested in becoming contributors to my blog to let me know and then invite me over for dinner so i can see if you can cook or not and then i will see... Just kidding if you are interested let me know and I would love to add you on

So here are the rules

you can post any sort of recipe, but it has to be something you have actually made yourself. We would prefere it if you can snap a pic to go along with your post. lets try to keep all commentary and descriptions breif and get down to buisness

So far i would like to welcome Amelia and Jami as contributors
lets see who posts first.....

We'll see what happens

My intentions for this blog is to post pics and recipes
we will see how it goes...