Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs

6 tablespoons melted butter

6 tablespoons powdered sugar

6 tablespoons Hershey’s cocoa

1/2 cup Hershey’s cocoa

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 pint fresh raspberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Paper-line or spray with cooking spray 24 muffin cups.
2. Stir together vanilla wafer crumbs, butter, sugar, and 6 tablespoons cocoa to make crust. Press 1 heaping tablespoonful of crumbs into bottom of each cup.
3. Stir together 1/2 cup cocoa and melted butter. Beat cream cheese until fluffy; then beat cream cheese into cocoa and butter mixture.

4. Gradually mix in sweetened condensed milk; mix in eggs and vanilla and spoon into cups. Bake 35 minutes or until set. Cool.
5. Melt chocolate chips with whipping cream and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Spread over cooled cheesecakes and top with a raspberry (if desired).

6. Refrigerate until set, and enjoy!!

*This makes about 24 cupcake-size cheesecakes.

Stuffed Peppers

6 medium green peppers

1 lb. ground beef

1/3 c. chopped onion

1 lb. can of tomatoes

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. uncooked rice

2 TBSP worchestershire sauce

1 c. sharp American cheese, shredded

Cut off tops of green peppers, remove seeds and membrane. Precook in salted, boiling water (4-5 min), drain and sprinkle inside of pepper cups generously with salt.

Cook beef and onion till meat is lightly browned (season with salt and pepper)

Add tomatoes, water, rice, and worchestershire sauce. Cover and simmer till rice is tender (about 15 min).

Stir in shredded cheese. Stuff pepper cups and stand upright in a baking dish or cake pan.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Thai peanut chicken

This is a BHG recipe that we tried and loved!http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/thai-peanut-chicken/
1 13.5- or 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons red curry paste
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 chicken legs (thigh-drumstick piece) or two 1- to 1-1/2-pound Cornish game hens, halved
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
2 cups hot cooked rice

directions
1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together coconut milk and peanut butter until nearly smooth. Whisk in broth, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, curry paste, ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Bring just to boiling over medium-high heat; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. In a plastic bag, combine flour, salt, and black pepper. If desired, remove skin from chicken. Add chicken pieces, one at a time, to flour mixture, shaking to coat.

3. In a large skillet, cook chicken, half at a time, in hot oil until brown, turning occasionally. Transfer chicken to an ungreased 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Pour peanut butter mixture over chicken. Cover loosely with foil. Bake for 1 hour for chicken (1-1/2 hours for Cornish hens), occasionally spooning sauce over chicken. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes more or until chicken is very tender.

4. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Skim fat from sauce in dish. Spoon some of the sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with the remaining sauce and hot cooked rice. Makes 4 servings.

Cocconut mango sticky rice

1 cup Thai Sweet Rice or Jasmine rice
1 3/4 cups water
1-2 ripe mangos, cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup brown sugar )
1 can coconut milk
1/4 tsp.
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cornstarch or arrowroot powder dissolved in 2 Tbsp. water

Cover rice with cool water and soak for 20-60 mins
Steam rice.
In small sauce pan add all ingredients except rice and cornstarch mixture.
Bring to a gentle boil, Turn the heat down to medium-low
Allow to simmer for 5 minutes,Add cornstarch (dissolved in the water) to the sauce and stir to thicken it slightly. As it thickens, turn down heat to low. When thickened, remove from heat. add steamed rice and simmer for 5 more mins.
Add the mango pieces and gently stir until everything is warmed through. Portion out into serving bowls.

Andes Mint Cookies

1 1/2 c. butter (3 sticks)

4 TBSP. water

3 c. brown sugar

4 eggs

4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

5 c. flour

1 bag Andes Mints chips (chopped small)

In a saucepan melt butter, brown sugar, and water on LOW heat.

ADD chocolate chips and only melt 1/2 way (doesn't take long). Take off stove and put in large bowl for 10 min.

Beat in eggs one at a time.

Add flour, salt, b.soda and mix.

Chill in fridge for 1 hour (its a weird consistency, but dough will stiffen up in fridge)

Bake @ 350* on foiled pan for 9-10 minutes

Top and swirl with Andes Mints pieces as soon as they come out of the oven. ENJOY!

***FYI***

This recipe makes a TON of cookies! (~ 6 dozen or so)....

you could easily 1/2 the recipe for a smaller batch.

Chicken Pot Pie

Easiest and quickest recipe my aunt used to make for us...

Chicken Pot Pie

1 c chicken (cooked and shredded)
1 can crm of mushroom soup
2 cans crm of potato soup
1 c frozen veggies
2 pkgs biscuits/rolls
1/2 t pepper
1/4 t thyme
1/2 t salt
milk

Preheat oven to 350. Combine in mixing bowl soups and milk to make it creamy but not runny. Mix in veggies, spices, and meat. Pour into 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 min. Place rolls/biscuits over mixture and bake until golden brown (~15 min).

*We usually add extra fresh vegetables, you could also use canned.
*We use only one pkg of biscuits and cut them in half to cover the mixture.

Better than you know what cake

1 box German chocolate cake prepared according to box directions
1sm can sweet and condensed milk
1 jar caramel sauce
1 med container of cool whip
crushed heath bars of toffee bits

Bake cake
Poke lots and lots of holes in cake right after it comes out of the oven
pour caramel and sweet and condensed milk over cake and chill
before serving spread cool whip and sprinkle with candy

Brownie Trifle

1 boxed Brownie mix (bake and break into 1 inch squares/pieces)

3 Heath Bars in bits

2 boxes white chocolate instant pudding

1 3/4 c. milk

1 8oz. tub Cool Whip

fresh strawberries (sliced) or fresh raspberries

Mix pudding and milk then add Cool Whip.

Layer in trifle bowl (or clear glass bowl): brownies, pudding, heath bar, strawberries

Refridgerate till eating! This looks much prettier in a trifle bowl!

Ranch cheddar cheese ball

2 packages softened cream cheese

2 Tbsp ranch powder (or more according to taste)

3-4 stalks chopped green onions

1/2-3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 package sliced almonds or pecan pearls

in Kitchen Aide whip softened cream cheese and ranch powder. Add onions, and cheese.

Chill mixture in freezer or fridge untill very firm

place desired amount of mixture on plastic wrap

form into ball

roll in nuts

wrap in clean plastic wrap and chill well

serve with crackers

Apple Walnut Salad

We have been eating this salad as a side dish with dinner several times a week since I first tried it a couple months ago! I'm still not sick of it! It is SO, SO good....especially with the variety of apples available this time of year. We prefer HONEYCRISP! Enjoy!

spring mix salad (from the bag)

crumbled blue (or feta) cheese

walnut halves, toasted (350 degrees for 5-7 minutes)

red apples, in bite size pieces

red onion, thin slices

Dressing:

1/3 c. olive oil

1/4 c. sugar

3 TBSP white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. ground mustard

1/2 tsp. celery seed

*Whisk all together. Pour on dressing just before serving.

You can add as little or as much of the salad ingredients as you like. The dressing is enough for a salad that serves about 6 people.

Overnight Orange French Toast

• 8 (3/4-inch-thick) slices French bread
• 4 large eggs
• 1 c milk
• 2 T fresh orange juice
• 1/2 t vanilla extract
• 1/8 t salt
• 2 T butter/margarine
• Powdered sugar
• Orange Sauce

Place bread in ungreased 13x9-inch backing dish. Combine eggs and next 4 ingredients; beat well. Pour mixture over bread slices; turn slices over to coat evenly. Cover and chill overnight.

Melt 1 T butter in a large skillet over medium heat; remove 4 slices bread from dish, and cook in butter 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Repeat procedure with remaining butter and bread slices. Sprinkle toast with powdered sugar; serve immediately with Orange Sauce. Yield: 4 servings

Orange Sauce

• 1 c firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 t grated orange rind
• 1/2 c fresh orange juice

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, stirring well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer until thickened (about 5 minutes), stirring often. Yield: 1 1/4 cups

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 6-ounce package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in sweetened dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Taco Soup

1 pound ground beef

1-2 packets taco seasoning

1 med onion chopped

Salt and pepper

TOPPINGS:

Grated cheddar cheese

Sour cream

Scoops tortilla chips

CANS:

1can Red kidney beans

1can diced tomatoes

1can French cut green beans

1 can corn

Small can tomato sauce (not paste)

Season ground beef with salt and pepper and ½ of the packet of taco seasoning. Brown the ground beef with the chopped onion in the bottom of large soup pot. When meat is done add all of the cans including the liquid to the soup pot. Stir in the other half of the taco seasoning packet according to taste. Then, salt and pepper to taste. Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least 20mins.

Serve with cheddar cheese and sour cream on top. Eat with chips as your spoon

Pear and Blue Cheese Pork Chops

The picture isn't the greatest, but these are yummy....and I don't even like Blue Cheese!

4 pork chops

olive oil

salt and pepper

2 medium pears

2 TBSP butter

1 TBSP crushed green peppercorns (unique flavor, don't substitute other peppercorns)

1/4 c. crumbled blue cheese

Brush pork chops with olive oil and season with salt and pepper

Cook chops on med--med/hi till juices run clear, then remove from skillet and keep warm

Core pears and cut into slices (keep skin on)

Place pears in same skillet and cook pears in butter for 1 minute

Stir in peppercorns and cook for an additional 2 minutes

Place pears over chops and sprinkle with blue cheese!

IMMEDIATELY ENJOY!

BBQ Chicken Pizza

This picture was before the pizza was actually cooked....so just picture it warm and delicious with a golden brown crust!

1 pizza crust (homemade is much better than store-bought)

2 c. cooked, shredded chicken

1/2 c. BBQ sauce (I use "Sweet Baby Rays"--delicious)

8 oz. shredded monterey jack cheese

1 large zucchini, thinly sliced

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

mozzaralla (opt.)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Grease the baking sheet and set aside (or a pizza stone works wonders)

Combine the chicken and BBQ sauce, spread onto the pizza crust leaving a 1 inch border of crust uncovered

Sprinkle the cheese, then zucchini, then onion

Season generously with salt and pepper. The recipe didn't call for any mozzarella, but I sprinkled some mozzarella on as the last ingredient (maybe 1/2 c. or more)

Bake until golden brown and cheese is melted (about 20 minutes).

Cut and serve immediately!

Key Lime Cupcakes

This lady was on Good Things Utah over the summer and made these amazing cupcakes. So far we've only made the Key Lime, but can't wait to try the Pink Lemonade.

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1 c. half and half
6 T. key lime juice
1 c. sweetened condensed milk
1 recipe whipped cream (recipe below)
4 T. grated lime peel ( 3 limes)

Method:

Mix together cake mix, eggs, half and half, and 3 tablespoons key lime juice. Pour 1 -2 tablespoons batter into each paper liner. In a separate bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk and the rest of the lime juice. Evenly divide lime milk into batter-filled cups. Top with remaining batter and fill ¾ full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 -18 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

Whipped Cream

Ingredients:
2 c. heavy whipping cream
¼ - ½ c. powdered sugar
Method:
Pour cream into large mixing bowl and start mixing at low speed. Gradually increase speed until cream thickens and soft peaks form.
Turn off mixer and add sugar. Start slowly again - no messes today? Beat until stiff peaks form.
The stiffer the cream, the easier it is to frost the cupcakes. Keep refrigerated.
Frost with whipped cream and garnish with grated lime peel. (We just mixed the lime peel in with the whipped cream and added a little extra lime flavor too!)


Pink Lemonade
Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix
1/3 c. pink lemonade concentrate
½ c. buttermilk
3 eggs
2 - 3 drops red food coloring

Method:

Mix together all ingredients until smooth. Pour batter into paper liners and fill ¾ full. Bake 15 - 18 minutes at 350 degrees or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely before frosting.

Pink lemonade Cream Frosting
Ingredients:
8 T. butter, room temperature
3 ¾ c. powdered sugar, sifted
3 - 4 T. milk or cream
1 - 2 drops red food coloring
2 t. lemon extract
Method:
Place butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Stop the mixer before adding the sugar to avoid a large mess. Add sugar, 3 tablespoons milk or cream, food coloring, and lemon extract. Beat frosting starting on slow speed and increasing your speed until frosting is nice and creamy. Add up to 1 more tablespoon of milk or cream if frosting is too thick.
Mix together all ingredients until smooth. Pour batter into paper liners and fill ¾ full. Bake 15 - 18 minutes at 350 degrees or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely before frosting.

White bean and corn chili

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 med onion chopped

1 clove minced garlic

3 chicken breasts,cooked and chopped

1 heaping cup frozen corn

2 cans great northern beans do not drain

1 7 oz can diced green chillies

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp coriander

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

3 cups chicken broth or stock

3 TBSP lime juice

In large pot saute onion and garlic in olive oil

add chopped chicken, corn, beans, chilies, spices broth, and lime juice

stir until combined

bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Toppings

grated cheddar cheese

sour cream

chopped green onions

chips

Chicken Noodle Soup

It was 55 degrees today... soup weather I'd say! Kandice Allen brought this to us when we were both really sick one winter, so dang tasty!

SOUP

8-10 c chicken stock, preferably homemade

2 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded

4 carrots, peeled & chopped

3 ribs celery, chopped

1 onion, diced

2 bay leaves

1/2 t dried thyme

salt & pepper

NOODLES

1c flour

1 egg

1/2 t salt

3-4 T milk

Knead ingredients until small ball is formed. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 15 min. Roll thin, cut in to 1/4 in. (or smaller) strips. Use lots of flour (or butter) to keep noodles from sticking to each other.

INSTRUCTIONS

Start noodles first. Lightly boil all ingredients until vegetables are tender. Just before serving, add noodles, cook 5 min. Serve over mashed potatoes, with cornbread on the side!

Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger

This is seriously the best Turkey burger I have ever had. I saw it on Oprah and had to try it.




It is from a resturant in Florida. The recipe is on her website. Here is the Link:
http://www.oprah.com/recipe/food/recipessandwiches/20080516_tows_turkeyburger
Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
3 Granny Smith apples , peeled and diced
1/8 cup canola oil
4 pounds ground turkey breast
2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. black pepper
2 tsp. Tabasco® chipotle pepper sauce
1 lemon , juiced and grated zest
1/2 bunch parsley , finely chopped
1/4 cup Major Grey's Chutney , pureed
Directions:

Sauté the scallions, celery and apples in the canola oil until tender. Let cool.

Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed items and the remaining ingredients. Shape into eight 8-ounce burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 minutes until meat is thoroughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Carmel Apple Cider

The perfect "special drink" in the middle of winter...

¼ c. heavy cream
¼ c. brown sugar
3 C. apple cider
½ c. water

Combine all ingred. and heat

½ c. cream - whip, add 1 T. brn sugar