Super Bowl Countdown Continued...

... 6 more days until Super Bowl!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 cans chicken, drained

2 pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 cup ranch

½ cup hot sauce

2 cups Colby Jack cheese

In a microwave safe bowl put cream cheese, ranch, and hot sauce.  Microwave for 1 minute.  Mix together. 

Drain chicken and add to cream cheese mixture.

Put in greased 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. 

Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese, then return to oven long enough to melt cheese.

Serve with Club Crackers.

SUPER BOWL COUNTDOWN!

And let the countdown begin…

…7 days until the SUPER BOWL!!!!!

This week will be devoted to super easy and quick Super Bowl foods.

Easy Potato Boats

2 large baking potatos

Shredded Cheese (I used Colby Jack)

Real Bacon Bits

Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, pepper

Clean potatoes.  Slice the potato lengthwise in 4 pieces.  Cut the inside out of the potato, leaving enough potato to taste.  Put on microwaveable plate and cover with wax paper.  Microwave for 7 minutes or until tender.

Once potatoes are tender sprinkle with spices.  Then sprinkle with cheese and bacon.

Now, you have several options for melting cheese:
Oven/Broiler- 2-3 minutes

Grill- 5 minutes

Microwave- 2-3 minutes

Top with green onions.  Serve with sour cream. 

Quicker Weeknight Meals

So typically, what takes the longest when you are cooking a meal?? Cooking the meat, right??  Here is an easy way to skip that step.

One day every few months, I spend browning hamburger and shredding chicken.  Then I put about 2 cups of the cooked meat in a baggie and freeze it.  That way when I’m ready to start cooking, that step is already over.

Sure, it’s a lot of work for one day, but it makes week night cooking for the next few weeks much easier.

Ground Beef/Sausage/Turkey/Chicken: I start with about 10-20 pounds of meat.  Put it in 2 skillets and begin cooking the meat on a slow temperature.  Make sure you stir and chop as you go.  The cooking process will take about 45 minutes.  Once the meat is done, drain all of the grease out.  Then spread the meat on a paper towel lined baking sheet. This will help the meat cool quicker and the paper towel will absorb any grease left over.  Once the meat is cool, you can begin to put it in baggies.  You can either use a measuring cup (if you like to be exact) or just grab a few handfuls, like I do.  Then, seal up the bags and put in freezer.

**Ideas for Ground Beef/Sausage/Turkey/Chicken: tacos, spaghetti meat sauce, sloppy joe, chili/soups, hamburger helper, etc.**

Shredded Chicken: Place 10-15 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in slow cooker (can be frozen).  Let cook over night (or 8-10 hours) on low.  Once the meat is done, drain all of the liquid out (you can save the broth for soups, if you’d like).  Let the chicken cool slightly.  Once the chicken has cooled enough to be able to touch, you can begin to shred the meat.  If you wait until the chicken is too cool, the meat will not shred as easy.  At this point, you can begin to put it in baggies and freeze.

**Ideas for Shredded Chicken: tacos, stir fry, enchiladas, etc.**

Once you are ready to use the meat, all you have to do is put it in the microwave to defrost a few seconds or put it directly in a skillet.  At this point, you can start to add the ingredients you need for your recipe.  Just skip the step where it says to brown your meat!

T Bone Steak and Salad

My husband and I are trying to eat a lot of protein and cut back on the carbs.  Thinking this would be super hard, I was scared to start this ‘diet’.  But looking at the meal below… I love low carb meals!!!

T-Bone Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, grill seasoning.  Grill until desired temperature.

Caesar Salad: 1 bag, ready to use lettuce, croutons, shredded parmesan and mozzarella cheese, slices of red onions (optional), Caesar salad dressing.  Mix all ingredients together and ENJOY!



Bacon Cheeseburger Roll Up

I got my inspiration for this recipe from Kraft Food Magazine.  Like most things I make, I find a recipe I like and then change/add ingredients to make it more personal for my family and me.

I have made it several times and found the perfect ingredients for a quick and delicious dinner.

Bacon Cheeseburger Roll Up

1 Pillsbury pizza dough crust (MUST be Pillsbury)

1 lb. hamburger

1 small-medium onion, chopped

½-1 pkg. real bacon bits

1 TBSP. Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp. Hot Sauce

Garlic powder

Red Pepper Flakes, to taste (optional)

¼ block Velveeta cheese (this can be off brand)

Preheat oven to 400.

In a skillet, brown hamburger.  Once hamburger is drained, add chopped onion, real bacon bits, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and other spices.  Cook until onions are tender.

Then, add Velveeta cheese and stir often until cheese is melted and mixed well with hamburger mixture.

Let cool for about 7-10 minutes (If not, pizza dough will get too soft to roll).

Line baking pan with aluminum foil.  Then spray foil with non-stick cooking spray.

Unroll pizza dough into a rectangle in the center of the baking sheet.

Spread hamburger mixture evenly in the center of the dough.

Start on long side of the dough and gently roll into a log.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

I love to cook in a slow cooker.  It's a fix it and forget it kind of thing! The food comes out so moist and the flavors are infused throughout the meat... YUM!!!

This recipe is very easy and can be changed in many ways.  Feel free to add sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, vegetables, etc.  I also combine all the ingredients the night before, that way it is ready to be cooked the next day.  If you are like me, you don’t have any extra time in the morning to spare.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

4 chicken breasts

1/2-1 cup rice

1 onion, chopped

1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom

1 can mushrooms, drained

1 1/2 cup chicken broth (you can use water or milk)

To taste: garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper

Spray your slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.

Place the chicken breasts on the bottom of slow cooker.

In a separate bowl, combine cream of chicken, onion, mushrooms, spices, and ½ cup broth (this is also where you can add any other extra ingredients you may choose).  Once mixed well, pour over chicken breast. 

Put rice on top of soup mixture. 

**At this point, if you are not cooking immediately, put in the refrigerator until ready to cook**

Once you are ready to begin the cooking process, pour 1 cup broth into the slow cooker insert.  This will give a little extra moisture and make a thin gravy for your rice to soak up (optional step, if left out the chicken and rice will be thicker).

Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

National Peanut Butter Day!

A Super Easy Peanut Butter Pie recipe just for National Peanut Butter Day.

Super Easy Peanut Butter Pie

1 pre-made chocolate pie crust

1 pkg. cream cheese, softened

½ cup peanut butter

1 cup milk

1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding

1 tub whipped topping

1 pkg. Chocolate Chips (semi sweet or milk chocolate will work)

In a large bowl, blend together cream cheese and peanut butter. 

In a separate bowl, mix together milk and pudding.

Pour pudding mixture into peanut butter mixture.  Mix well. 

Add 1 cup whipped topping.  Mix well and set aside.

In a microwave safe bowl, put ½ bag of chocolate chips.  Microwave until completely melted (Make sure you use short cooking times and stir frequently to prevent chocolate from burning).

Once chocolate is melted, pour into bottom of chocolate pie crust.

Once the chocolate has set up a little (about 5 minutes), pour peanut butter mixture into pie crust. 

Place the remaining chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave until almost melted.  Then add about 1 cup whipped topping.  Microwave for another 10-15 seconds (enough to melt whipped topping).  Mix together. 

Once mixed, pour over top of peanut butter mixture in pie crust. 

Tips to make your pie extra special:  Drizzle with melted peanut butter, peanut butter chips or sprinkle with powdered sugar.  You can also top with remaining whipping cream.  Peanut butter cups cut in half would also be a nice touch.

Deep Dish Pizza Pie

There is nothing better than PIZZA!!

I will eat pizza any way! Deep dish, thin crust, stuffed crust… you name it!!  I love this recipe because you can just about add anything you want.  Whatever kind of meat, toppings, cheese, etc. 

Deep Dish Pizza Pie

1 cup sausage/beef, cooked

Pepperoni slices

1-2 cups shredded cheese (I like Italian or Pizza)

½ cup onion

1 can pizza sauce

1 can sliced mushrooms

½ cup baking mix

2 eggs

1 cup milk

Oregano

Garlic powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a deep dish pie plate sprayed with non-stick spray, place onions on the bottom.

In a separate bowl, mix eggs, milk and baking mix.  Once mixed well, add sausage/beef, garlic powder, and oregano to baking mixture.  Pour into the pie plate.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until center is set.

Remove from oven and pour pizza sauce on top.  Add pepperoni slices and mushrooms on top of pizza sauce. 

Return to oven and cook for about 15 minutes.

Remove from oven again, and sprinkle with cheese (It’s important to do this at the very end so the cheese doesn’t turn dark brown and burn).

Return to oven for another 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Finally, remove from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes, and then serve.

Chicken Tender Salad

Any time I fix chicken tenders I always have a few left over.  Instead of throwing them away or putting them in the refrigerator only to be pushed to the back and forgotten about, I place them in a zip lock bag and put them in the freezer.  Then I use them for a quick and filling salad.

 

 

Chicken Tender Salad

 

Put lettuce in the bottom of a bowl.  Cut up some red onions and put on top of lettuce.  Followed by shredded Parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese (or any kind you like).  Then I cut up my chicken tenders and put some boiled eggs on top of that.  Top it off with salt and pepper!  Serve with your favorite dressing. (I love honey mustard with this particular salad).

 

 

 

This salad would be great for dinner or lunch.

Bacon in the Oven

Bacon in the oven is the way to go!

No mess, hardly any clean up, and very easy!

Directions for:

Bacon in the Oven

1. DO NOT PRE HEAT OVEN!
2. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil so sides of foil go up baking sheet (You want to prevent any grease from being able to go through onto the pan).
3. Spray lined baking pan with a little non-stick spray.
4. Put slices of bacon on lined pan.
5. Place into cooled oven.
6. Turn oven on to 400 degrees.
7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until desired doneness.
8. Remove bacon from oven once the bacon is done.
9. Transfer bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels.
10. Once grease left on baking sheet is cooled off, pour grease into a container and save for later.  (Great to add into other things for extra flavor!)
11. Roll up aluminum foil and throw away.
12. Whip down baking sheet and you are ready to go for next time!

Breakfast for Dinner

I love breakfast for dinner!! And it is so simple.

Scrambled eggs, bacon, and drop biscuits topped with cinnamon and sugar.

I cook my bacon in the oven (directions to be posted tomorrow), fix my biscuit, and while everything is cooking, scramble my eggs.

Drop Biscuits

Bisquick

Water
Cinnamon

Sugar

Make biscuits as directed on back of Bisquick box

Once you put biscuits on baking sheet, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Serve with jelly!  J

What to do with leftover spaghetti?

So when I fix spaghetti I always have tons of the pasta left over.  Instead of throwing it away, I put it in the refrigerator for a couple of days, and then make a new meal out of it.

Left-Over Spaghetti Italian Parmesan

Leftover spaghetti noodles (cooked)

Butter

Italian salad dressing

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Italian seasoning

Salt

Pepper

Put spaghetti noodles in a microwavable container.

Add butter, Italian salad dressing, and seasonings to taste.

Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring if needed.

Add more spices or heat longer, if needed.

Serve with side salad and garlic bread.

Enjoy!

Sloppy Joe w/ Onion Rings

What is a cold winter night good for?? Spending it in front of the TV with good comfort food!!

Sloppy Joe with Onion Rings and a Caesar Salad.

YUMMM!!!!



Crust-less Pecan-less Pecan Pie

So if you are like me and love the filling of pecan pie, but hate the pecans and crust, then this recipe is for you!!

This is so simple and so delicious!! You can not taste the graham cracker crust because the filling soaks into it and everything becomes one. 

Crust-less Pecan-less Pecan Pie Recipe

1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
6 eggs
2 TBSP butter/margarine, melted
2 tsp vanilla

1 graham cracker crust

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend together.

Pour into a pre-made graham cracker crust

Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 45-50 minutes, or until center is set.

NOTE: The filling did not all fit into the pre-made graham cracker crust, so I decided to put the remaining filling in a ramekin dish.  I cooked at the 325 but for about 10-15 minutes less than the pie.

**The top of the pie did get a little hard (my husband thought it was burnt!) but when we cut into it, the center was still gooey!  Next time, I might try to cover it with aluminum foil before baking and see if that may help to prevent browning on the top.  If you try this, let me know how it turns out!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tonight in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we will be having good southern style foods: ribs and all the fixin's!! 

On the Menu:

 Slow Cooker Ribs

Sweet Potato Casserole

Macaroni and Cheese

Spinach

Corn Bread

Crust-less Pecan-less Pecan Pie--- YUM!!!

Breakfast for a Lazy Saturday!

What should I fix for breakfast on a lazy Saturday morning?? Why not two of my favorite breakfast foods: Cinnamon Rolls and Pancakes!

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Pancakes Mix:

2 cups of pancake mix, make as package directs

Cinnamon Swirl:

1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 Tbsp cinnamon

Cream Cheese Icing:

4 Tbsp butter, melted
2-4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Prepare pancake batter as directed on package.

In separate bowl, mix together butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Put into a zip lock bag. This should look a lot like frosting (thick).

In another bowl, heat butter and cream cheese in microwave until melted. Mix together until smooth.  Then mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Pre-heat skillet over medium heat. Spray with butter flavored nonstick spray. Make a medium size pancake in the center of your skillet. Cut the corner of your zip lock bag and squeeze a spiral of the filling onto the top of the pancake. When the pancake starts to bubble, flip carefully.  Finish cooking pancake until both sides are golden brown.

Serve with drizzled Cream Cheese Icing.

Winter BBQ!

Yesterday was the 1st snow of 2012.  I was wishing for the summer warmth and BBQ!!  So, I decided to make the best of the situation.  I put some Bacon & Cheddar Brats on my indoor grill, added some sweet potato french fries, and made some baked beans!!  YUMMM!!!

I also fixed a simple cake for dessert. 

Mini Chocolate Chip Cake

1 yellow cake mix (or any other flavor would work too)

1 package instant pudding (I used chocolate, but vanilla would be good too)

4 eggs

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup water

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 pkg of mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 pan.

Mix together cake mix, instant pudding, eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and water. Fold in the sour cream and chocolate chips. Pour batter into pan.

Bake for 45-50 minutes or until center is set.

Top with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, if desired.

NASCAR Cake

Here is a cake I made for my Dad's 50th birthday this past June.  He loved it!!

Welcome!

Welcome! Thank you for visiting my blog.  Check back soon for my first post!  I'm working on dinner tonight.