Italian Zucchini

This is a great way to use up some of that zucchini in your garden without getting to the point of stuffing it into any car window that is semi-rolled down.

1 large zucchini, cut into half moons or smaller
diced onion (about 1/4 to 1/3 med onion)
olive oil
1/2 to 1 soft cube chicken bouillon
1 large yellow squash (optional)


Put about 2 TBS olive oil into the pan, let it warm. Next put in your zucchini and onion. When this starts to heat up, crumble about half the bouillon cube over top. In most stores, you can go to the ethnic section and find the Mexican soft bouillon. It will melt in with the oil and cover the veggies much better. If you would like more flavor, crumble more over until to taste. But PLEASE taste first.

Hamburger Cookies

This weekend I tended my grandsons and wanted to have a fun kitchen craft. I remembered a few years back making these cute little hamburger cookies and thought it would be perfect for the boys. They loved every minute of it and all 3, from ages 2-7, helped with the project.

Ingredients:

Vanilla wafers

Small chocolate mint cookies (I bought mine at Wal-mart, the Great Value brand)

1/4 cup flaked coconut

Green food coloring

Small tubes of red and yellow "writing" frosting

1 T. sesame seeds

Very small amount of white corn syrup

In a small bowl, combine 4 drops green food coloring with a few drops water. Add coconut and cover the container. Shake until coconut is tinted. Assemble vanilla wafers (buns), chocolate cookies (patty), red & yellow frosting (ketchup & mustard), small amount of green coconut (lettuce).

Then brush a little corn syrup on the top "bun" and sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top. Voila!

Zucchini Cake

Very moist, yummy cake. Makes a lot!

3 C unpeeled grated Zucchini
1 Tbsp vanilla
3 C sugar
1 1/2 C walnuts (optional)
1 C oil
4 eggs
3 C flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in separat bowl. In mixer, combine zucchini, vanilla, sugar, nuts, oil and eggs. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into greased and floured bundt or angel cake pan, do not fill past 2/3rds. Bake at 350 1 hour. Let cool in pan before turning out.

I found that you need to place a cookie sheet on the rack below the pan because the batter may expand over the top of the pan. This makes a lot of batter, so use as big a pan as you can find. It gets better the more days it sits.

Fresh Basil Pesto

This year I planted a few Basil plants in my garden. They are producing like crazy, so rather than waste the fragrant and wonderful leaves, I found an easy recipie for pesto that can be frozen and kept for winter. If you have basil, this is a wonderful recipie to have.

2 c. fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 c. grated paramsean or romano cheese
1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/3 c. pine nuts or walnuts (pine nuts can be expensive)
3 garlic cloves minces
salt and pepper to taste.

In a food processor (not a blender), pulse the basil, nuts, and garlic together. Add in a steady stream the olive oil while it is mixing. Add cheese and pulse a few more times. Add salt and pepper to taste.

To freeze:
Mix as directed, omitting the cheese. Freeze in silicone ice cube trays, put into ziploc bags when frozen, and store. To use, thaw, add the cheese and use over pasta, bread etc.

A Summer Shortcut

Our family loves baked potatoes, mostly because they are so easy. But in the summer, we never have them because we can't stand to have the oven on! We've found a new recipe/idea that has become a hit. Grilled Baked Potatoes. These are so quick and easy, I might bake my spuds this way in the winter too! All you have to do is scrub some bakers, poke them with a fork, and put them in the microwave for 6-10 minutes. Then you can either wrap them in foil or put them directly on the grill. Be sure to turn them every couple of minutes, and grill for about 10 minutes. Voila! Baked potatoes minus the baked house! And for toppings, try fresh green onions, sour cream, and bacon bits. Yummy!

Healthy Summer Treats

We've discovered a new favorite way to cool off! Homemade popsicles/smoothies. This is just one recipe, but man is it delicious. You can vary the fruits and flavors to make your own favorite.

We use:
frozen strawberries
harvest peach Yoplait yogurt
white grape juice
frozen blueberries(opt)

Throw the ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth. No measurements, just add a little here, a little there until you get the consistency/flavor you like. Take it easy on the liquid at first, and add it as you need it so they don't get too runny. These are really hard to mess up. Then pour some in a cup and grab a spoon for a smoothie, or use a spoon to fill ice cube trays for popsicles. You can buy mini popsicle sticks at WalMart for less than $2. Make sure you have the flexible, twisty type of ice cube tray so you can get them out. These are not only my kids' favorite treat, but mine as well! Plus, the strawberries have tons of Vitamin C, which is supposed to help you get firmer skin, and blueberries have Vitamin E, which aids in improving your complexion. Two birds with one stone! Enjoy!

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

My friend gave me this recipe and they are so easy, but so good.

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

1 roll refrigerated pizza dough
marinara/pizza sauce
2 T grated Parmesan cheese
1 T olive oil or melted butter
1/2 t garlic powder
1 t dried Italian seasoning
mozzerella cheese
Pizza toppings of your choice

Preheat oven to heat specified on pizza dough package. Usually it's 400 degrees.

Unroll your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into little squares. I think I got about 20 squares from my dough. Cut any size you want.

Place cheese and desired toppings on each square. (Note that you're not putting the marinara sauce on the dough- it's for dipping after)

When all of your dough squares have cheese and toppings on them, carefully lift up each square and wrap the dough around the toppings. Pinch to make sure each ball is sealed shut and then place them seam side down in a lightly sprayed pie pan (or similar sized dish).

Brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil or melted butter and then sprinkle with the garlic and Italian seasoning and top with Parmesan cheese.

Cook them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Serve warm with warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Best Birthday Cake Website

I found the coolest website for birthday cake ideas a couple years ago and now use it every time I have a birthday coming up!

Here's the link to it:

http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/


You can find TONS of pictures of cakes people have submitted, and some of them have step by step instructions, but most are so easy to make, you just need to see the idea and go from there. On the left hand side bar, you'll also see links with ideas for Cool Party, Costume, Showers, etc. It is a great site and hopefully you can find something on it to help your next party be awesome!

How to Cut a Watermelon

As I said on my personal blog, I don't claim to be GREAT at much, but I have finally figured out how to successfully cut a watermelon into perfect bite-size pieces. Every time I take a watermelon to a Summer BBQ, I'm asked how to do this. Here's how:

Make sure you have a long, sharp knife. This is super important!


Quarter your watermelon.


You're going to make a series of cuts in 3 different directions.




The quarter should now look like a grid. Dump watermelon into a large bowl, everything from the middle should fall out easily.


Now cut along the rind of the watermelon. This usually takes 2 passes.



Ta-da...perfect bite-size pieces.

Tisa's Mac n' Cheese

My mother in law makes such a simple mac n' cheese recipe but my kids (and husband) love it, so I thought I'd share. (Don't make this recipe expecting it to be creamy because it's not...it's just noodles and cheese but very kid-friendly and simple.)

You'll need 1 lb elbow noodles (cook as directed on box), 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, 2-4 T macaroni, 6 T milk, salt and pepper.


Layer half of the noodles, half the butter, and half the cheese in a 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle 3 T milk over and sprinkle with salt and pepper.


Layer remaining ingredients and place in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.


Easy but delicious.

Crazy Cake

This is the moistest, yummiest cake I've ever had! It is good with any frosting, or just use the recipe found below.

Mix together the following:

3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
6 T. cocoa
2 t. soda
1 t. salt

Then add:

2 t. vanilla
2 T. white vinegar
2 c. water
3/4 c. oil

Mix together.
Pour into a 13 x 9 pan.
Bake at 375 for 30 min.

Frosting:
In a saucepan combine:
1 c. sugar
3 T. cornstarch
3 T. cocoa
dash salt
1 c. boiling water
Bring to boil.
Add:
3 T. butter
1 t. vanilla
Frosting will thicken as it stands. Pour over cake and EAT UP!!!

Sami's Super Easy Greek Salad

1 can drained and rinsed garbanzo beans
3 tomatoes (med. size) cut into med. pieces
1 small onion cut into rings and separate the rings
1 cucumber (I like to peel) cut into med. pieces
1/2 c cilantro chopped
1/2 c feta cheese
3 T red wine vinegar
1 t oregano
1/2 t garlic powder

I made this recipe up this weekend and I just HAVE to share it! You'll find this recipe colorful, healthy and tasty! It's super easy to throw together and stays nicely in the refrigerator if you have leftovers.

All you do is put these ingredients in a bowl and mix. You can put it in the fridge so the ingredients and meld together or serve immediately. I served it with grilled chicken breasts and warm pita bread. Hope you love it!

Banana Cake

1 ½ C Flour
1 tsp Soda
1 tsp Baking Pwd
½ tsp Salt
4 bananas
¾ C Sugar
1 Egg
1/3 C Softened Butter
1 C Butterscotch chips
Mix

Topping
1/3 C Brn Sugar
1/8th C Flour
1 Tbs butter
Sprinkle over cake

Bake 350 25-35 min

Glaze
½ C Pwd Sugar
2 Tbs Milk
Pour over baked cake.

Jane's Banana Bread

If you've ever had a piece of my mom's banana bread, you know that it's fabulous. If you haven't, make this recipe and see for yourself:

Cream 1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs

Then add 4 cups flour, 2 tsp soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 6 tablespoons milk, 2 tsp vanilla and 4-6 mashed ripe bananas.

Pour in greased loaf pans and bake for 45-60 minutes at 350. (Sometimes the middle ends up not quite done, just cook for a few more minutes.) Makes 3 loaves.

Chicken Enchilladas

Chicken Enchilladas
5 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 cup chicken broth
1 medium onion
1 small can green chilies
2 TBSP butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
8 flour tortillas
2 cups grated cheese

Saute onions and green chilies with butter until onion is clear. Add mushroom soup and chicken broth; cook until smooth. Add sour cream. Stir until mixed. Set aside. Dip tortilla in soup mixture (on both sides) then distribute chicken pieces on center of tortillas; add 1/4 cup soup mixture on chicken. Add cheese. Roll tortillas and place in 9x13 pan. Put rest of soup mixture on top and cover with more cheese. Cover; bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, olives, etc. when ready to serve.

Grandma Baldwin's Chocolate Cake

Grandma Baldwin used to make this fabulous, dense, chocolate cake on Sundays when she knew the family was coming to visit. She'd only spread a very thin layer of frosting on top and I've been craving it. (Maybe it's because I miss her.) So my mom found the recipe and I made it this weekend. It was just as good as Grandma's but I used an entire can of frosting, which made it even better.

2 c sugar
1 c shortening
4 eggs
3 c flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1 c milk + 1 T vinegar
1 c boiling water
6 T cocoa

Cream sugar, shortening, eggs. Add dry ingredients. Then blend in milk, vinegar, boiling water, and cocoa. This makes a very large cake. I baked mine in a 9 1/2 x 13 1/2 and it was super thick. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. So good.

Spicy Chicken Nachos

I tinkered with a recipe I have for chicken tortilla soup (really good, if anyone wants it let me know!) and made spicy chicken for nachos. It turned out really, really good! It's even better on the 2nd or 3rd day, when the chicken has had some time to soak up more flavor. But if you like nachos, these are the way to go. And they're really not that spicy at all. They just have a little kick, and if you add sour cream to the nachos they are perfect for kids.

1 small onion, coarsely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 TB chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano, crumbled
1 bay leaf
2 cans low-salt chicken broth
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp sugar
3-4 large boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves

Optional toppings:
sour cream
salsa (the chile verde is the best!)
chopped fresh cilantro
shredded cheese (any kind will do)
olives
banana peppers
ranch
lettuce
avacado
tomato
Or pretty much anything you like to have on nachos will do!

In medium stockpot, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, chili powder, ocumin, oregano, and bay leaf. Saute 1 minute. Add broth, tomato sauce, salt, sugar, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Add chicken; cover pot and simmer until chicken is done, about 15 minutes.

Using tongs, transfer chicken to plate and cool slightly. Shred finely and return to broth. Simmer 1 minute minimum (more for better flavor). Place chicken in a serving bowl, and ladle a small amount of broth into the bowl to prevent the chicken from drying out. You can even put the broth on your nachos, if you don't mind it being a bit soggy.

I have started putting all the prepared toppings in a veggie tray (the round kind with dividers). I bought a cheap one in the party aisle at WalMart, and it's perfect. I think this would be a ton of fun to have friends over and have a taco/nacho bar. Also, if you have leftover chicken, store it with the leftover broth...it will taste better that way when you reheat it. Enjoy!

Cafe Rio Pork

Love Cafe Rio's Sweet Pork Tacos or Pork Salads? I found this recipe off one of the recipe blogs listed on the sidebar. Unfortunately, I can't remember which one. I've made this for my family a few times and it is devoured every time. It's so good.

3 lbs boneless pork roast
1 c brown sugar
1 c Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
2 T minced onions.

Combine all ingredients and cook in crockpot on low 8-10 hours or on high 4-6 hours. One hour before serving, shred meat and discard juice. Add 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup red enchilada sauce to meat.

Serve with Spanish rice, pinto or black beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, guacamole, and any other taco toppings in a large tortilla or as a salad. Both are yummy.

Diet Coke Sloppy Joes

This is a healthier version of the traditional sloppy joe. Recipe is courtesy of Weight Watchers:

1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion (I usually just add a little minced onion because it's easier)
1 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
12 oz diet coke
2/3 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tsp dry mustard



Brown beef and onion in large skillet. Drain well. Stir in remaining ingredients as listed. Mix well. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.



Makes 6 Servings; 3 POINTS each

New Recipe Blog

I've found yet another fabulous source for recipes! You may have heard of her, but I don't think she's been mentioned here so we'll give it a whirl. She's called "The Pioneer Woman", and she's hilarous! She does other stuff too, like photography and home and garden. But her recipes are great, she's much like Bakerella with photos, etc, but she does all types of foods. Anyway, check her out at thepioneerwoman.com

DIRT DESSERT

20 oz. pkg. Oreo cookies
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick butter
1 c. powdered sugar
2 sm. pkgs. chocolate instant pudding mix
3 1/2 c. milk
12 oz. Cool Whip or Le Creme

In a blender or food processor, grind Oreos and set aside. In large bowl beat together cream cheese and butter; beat in sugar and pudding and blend. Add milk; blend until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip. Layer in container (I use a special flower pot.) One third Oreos pressed into bottom to form crust, 1/2 pudding mixture, 1/3 Oreos, remaining pudding, finish top with remaining Oreos to look like potting soil. Garnish appropriately with fake ivy, etc. Serve with miniature spade.
NOTE: To make Sand Dessert, substitute vanilla wafers for Oreos and vanilla pudding for chocolate pudding. Serve in sand pail with shovel as serving spoon. Garnish with candy sea shells.

Easter Egg Dye

Mix 1/4 tsp. food coloring and 1 tsp. vinegar with 1 cup boiling water. Let cool before dying eggs.

Yummy Cornbread

This is a super easy recipe that never lasts very long in our house!!! Here's what you'll need...

One yellow cake mix and one jiffy corn muffin mix.

Mix the two, with all the ingredients each one calls for. Bake in 9 x 13 or two 9" rounds or squares (I do this and freeze one for the next dinner we want to eat cornbread). Bake at 350 for 20-30 min. or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle. Serve warm with honey butter! We love it with chili or soup on a cold day!

Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake

This is a Weight Watcher Recipe. I've listed the point values at the end, just in case anyone cares:


1 box Devils Food Cake Mix
1 small box sugar free instant chocolate pudding
1 small box sugar free instant white chocolate pudding
1 cup egg substitute (I didn't have egg substitute so I used 3 eggs which may adjust the points)
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup applesauce

Mix together and pour into a sprayed Bundt pan or divide into 24 cupcakes. (The mixture is kind of fluffy and does not rise much at all.) Bake at 350 degrees - 45-50 minutes for Bundt or 20 min for cupcakes. Serve with Fat Free Cool Whip.

Bundt Cake = 16 servings @ 3 points each
Cupcakes = 24 servings @ 2 points each

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet & Sour Chicken

Batter:
1.5 T. baking powder
1.5 c. flour
1.5 cornstarch
1 tsp. salt
2.5 c. water
.5 tsp yellow food coloring
3. T MSG or Accent

Mix all the ingredients together with water until smooth.

2 lbs of chicken

Slice chicken into slices. Take sliced chicken and dip into the batter. Then fry the chicken in oil for about 5 minutes. Make sure oil isn't too hot or the chicken won't cook all the way through. It will be golden brown.

Sweet & Sour Sauce
2 C. water
1 C. white vinegar
1.5 C. sugar
Dash white pepper
Dash garlic powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 red food coloring
2 T cornstarch with cool water as thickener

Bring water boil, then add all the ingredients while stirring slowly. Thickener should be added slowly after the sauce is boiling. Continue to stir. Add sauce to cover chicken as a dip.