Valentines Day is coming soon!

Here's an easy way to show someone you really care on Valentine's day.  Use your  favorite sugar cookie or butter cookie recipe.  Roll them out and use a heart shaped cookie cutter and make individual hearts.  Frost and sprinkle with pink sprinkles.  Put each one in their own clear bag and give one or more to any special person.   Enjoy!

Everything Vegetable Soup

We used to make this soup when we were on Weight Watchers many years ago.  It was considered "free".  I wanted to use up a bunch of fresh and left over cooked vegetables I had in the house so,  I put them all in a big pot and cooked it.  Instead of using broth,  I used tomato juice for the liquid.

It tasted fantastic.  I flavored it with garlic, salt, pepper and some chili powder!  After it was cooked,  I made some tiny ditalini pasta and added it to the soup.  I used cabbage, carrots, zucchini, brussel sprouts, mushrooms and even a few potatoes.  If you like,  sprinkle it with a little romano cheese before you eat it.  Good for a cold night.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Bread Puddin

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

1 loaf day old white bread sliced
12 eggs beaten
1 cup milk
1 T vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 can pumpkin
1/2 c chocolate chips
1/2 c chopped pecans

Cut up the bread into cubes. 
Beat the eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar and pumkin together. 
Add cinnamon last.
Pour the liquid mixture over the bread and soak it all.
Put chocolate chips and pecans on top before baking.

Bake 350 degrees for approx 45 minutes.  It will puff up beautifully.
Cool and serve warm or cold.  Option - pour a little vanilla icing over top (powder sugar and milk) befoe serving

Game Night, Any Night - Pizza Stromboli

This one will make any Super Bowl Party great.  Better make two or three stromboli's as they won't last long!

Pizza Stromboli

1 thin crust Pillsbury rolled pizza crust
1 small can tomato sauce
3 or 4 slices pepperoni (or any other type of meat you like)
Sprinkle of Pizza Seasoning
Addition of chopped olives or onions is also good.

Unroll the crust into rectangle.  Spread the tomato sauce over the dough.
Lay the pepperoni over the tomato sauce. 
Add shredded mozarella cheese (to taste).
Add olives or onions if desired. 
Sprinkle with Pizza Seasoning (can be found in spice section of grocery)

Roll the dough carefully from the long end.    Carefully, place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
Bake 375 for about 25 minutes.
Before you bake,  slit the top to let steam out in a few places.

Serves about 12 - 1 inch pieces as appetizers... Your guests will love them.

Thoughts of Spring and Summer - Apple Cobbler w/Vanilla Ice Cream

Even though it's the end of January,  Spring and summer are not too far ahead!  Of course, apple pie is in season anytime!  Here is an old recipe that I used to make when I was in high school.  Actually,  it was in high school home economics class that we learned how to make this wonderful dessert.   Easy as can be and delicious.   Apple Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream:

3 cans of apple pie filling
9x13 inch pan
1 yellow cake mix
1 stick melted butter
1/2 c chopped walnuts(optional)

Open the pie filling,   pour into 9x13 pan, spread evenly.  Open the yellow cake mix.  Sprinkle the whole box of dry cake mix over the apple filling.  Try to cover all the apples.  Add the walnuts to the cake mix crumbs.  Melt the butter and pour it over the whole top.  Try to get as much of the cake mix covered with butter as possible. 

Bake in 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes, until top is brown.
Cool and serve warm or refrigerate overnight with vanilla ice cream;.   That's is!  Enjoy! 

Can be made with any flavor pie filling!  Cherry, peach, blueberry are just great too. 

Turkey Meatloaf Sandwich

Here's a turkey meatloaf sandwich that will bring you raves. This turkey meatloaf is flavor enhanced by adding diced onions and mushrooms that have been sauteed in a tablespoon of olive oil before added to the meat.  Using lean ground turkey breast can be a bit dry when making a meat loaf,  however,  this little trick will give your meatloaf extra flavor and moistness! 

Turkey Meatloaf

1 lb. lean ground turkey
2 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 small onion chopped
3 or 4 large white mushrooms, chopped
1 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil

Saute the chopped onions and mushrooms in 1 tablespoon olive oil about 6 minutes, until onions are starting to get translucent.  Set aside and cool. 

Mix the meat, eggs, bread crumbs, garlic and finally the cooled onion and mushroom mixture together.  Add 1/4 cup ketchup before putting in loaf pan.  Bake 45-50 minutes until done.  Spread more ketchup on top of loaf (optional). Slice and enjoy.

Eggnog Anyone?

The holidays bring a lot of different types of food and drink that normally are not found in our kitchens.  Eggnog of a delicious item that only shows up at Thanksgiving or Christmas.  In case you have any left over from the holidays, try this delicious, unusual, subtle Eggnog Cake.  Here is the recipe to make and enjoy!

EGGNOG CAKE WITH RUM FROSTING

1 box yellow cake mix

4 eggs

¾ cup eggnog

1 package vanilla instant pudding

½ cup oil

½ cup water

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp rum                

Frosting:

4 Tablespoons rum

1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare a bundt pan by spraying it with non-stick spray

Put all ingredients for the cake in mixing bowl and beat for 4 minutes.

Pour into bundt pan and bake for 50 minutes until done.

Make the frosting adding the rum a little at a time to the powdered sugar to

Make a thicker frosting.  Drizzle onto the cake and decorate if desired.

Makes 12

2014 Happy New Year!

Delicious, easy, Date Nut Bread.
Sooo cold here and it's a good day to stay in and bake!  Here is an outstanding recipe for
Date Nut Bread that you will love!

Date Nut Bread

32 Servings    Prep: 15 min. Bake: 45 min. plus cooling

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups chopped dates (I use lightly sugared dates)

1 ½ cups hot water

2 T Butter

2 ¼ cups all purpose flour

1 ½ cups sugar

¾ cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 ½ tsp salt

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract (pure)

Directions:

 In a large bowl, combine the dates, water and butter:  let stand for 5

minutes.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, walnuts, baking soda and salt.

In a small bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla and date mixture.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. (pour water and all- do not drain dates)

Pour into two 8 in x 4 in. loaf pans.  Bake at 375 for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cover loosely with foil if top browns too quickly.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.  Yield: 2 loaves (16 slices each).

CINCO DE MAYO

Cinco de Mayo is here and we all have a little latino in us.  Here is my version of Chicken Fajitas with rice, guacamole, salsa and sour cream.  Easy to do and delicious to eat!  Arriba!

Bolognese Sauce

Easy Bologease Sauce with your choice of pasta is a great, quick weeknight meal.  Easier than you think to make.   I made this tonight in less than 40 minutes.  Ground beef, onions, carrots, garlic, basil, tomatoes in can and tomato sauce.  Simmer in a pot, add red wine and allow to cook about 10 minutes more.  Cook your noodles and serve a delicious meal with some fresh italian bread and grated parmesian.  Yummmm.

New Grocery in Town

A new chain of Groceries has moved into our area.  It is called Marrianos.  It is a very beautiful, upscale grocery store that also carries some good bargains.  Piano player welcomes you when you arrive,  samples are given out as you walk,  full bakery, deli, fresh meat and fish counters, as well as a complete exotic cheese section.  If you don't buy anything this store is a pleasure to walk through.  I love going to different grocery stores (my hobby) and I was so impressed with this store, I thought I'd share it.  It is new to the Chicagoland suburbs and they are building them everywhere.  This store will even cook your dinner for you, while you wait.  Honestly,  purchase chicken or steak or anything, and they will prepare it for you right there in the store.    I'm sure stores like this exist everywhere, but, I never saw one in my area.  It's worth a shot if you have time to walk and enjoy your surroundings! 

Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Here's a great way to use up some leftover mashed potatoes that is easy and delicious.  Shepherds Pie.
Ground beef, onions, garlic, parsley, frozen peas, beef broth and leftover mashed potatoes!
Here's the recipe for an easy casserole.

1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion
1 small can tomato sauce
1 T chopped parsely
1 c frozen peas
1 c beef broth
4 c mashed potatoes

Saute the meat and onion,  add parsely, peas, and tomato sauce.  Simmer about 14 minutes.  Add the beef broth.  Pour into casserole dish.  Mash the potatoes or use leftovers, and spread over the meat mixture.  Bake 30 minutes or until potatoes begin to become golden.  350 degrees.

Enjoy

It's Hopping just around the corner!

Spring is going to pop and Easter is right around the corner.  Do you bring goodies to your family like I do?  I don't do the cooking, I bring something fabulous for dessert.  Try a different type of dessert,  Italian Ricotta Cheese Pie.   A subtle, yet delicious taste of rum in this dessert makes it a real hit among the family.  My mom used to make it all the time at Easter.   Tomorrow we'll have more to offer. 

Quick and Easy Supper.

An easy dinner idea for you.  Pizza Roll and salad.  Make your favorite mixed green salad to serve along with a delicious veggie pizza roll.  This is so easy to make you will love it. 

1 package refrigerated pizza dough (rolled)
3 tablespoons tomato sauce
3 mushrooms chopped
1/4 onion,  chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried pizza seasoning.

Unroll the pizza crust, put the tomato sauce spread over the whole thing.  Add the chopped veggies and the seasoning.  Roll it up and bake it at 375 for 25 minutes.  Slice and serve.

My Attempt at Mexican Food!

Chicken and cheese enchiladas made to taste authentic.  Easy to do using tortillas, canned chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, black beans, corn and  a can of enchilada sauce. 
Spanish rice and shredded lettuce, onions and tomatoes topped with avocado slices accompany the enchiladas.  This dinner served 4 people having 2 enchiladas each.  I was very surprised how really good they tasted.  Cooks in 30 minutes 350.  Delicious.....enjoy.

Easy Poached Salmon

This time of year a lot of meals consist of fish.  Salmon is one of my favorites.  It is very healthy containing "good" fats for our body.  Poaching salmon is the easiest way I know to cook it and it will never fail.
All you do is put the fillet of salmon on aluminum foil, top it with thinly sliced lemon, thinly sliced onion, and any other type of veggie you would like.  I made it tonight using green olives, onions and lemon.  I use two tablespoons of  white wine, salt and pepper and that's it.  Fold the foil up to make air tight packages and put in the oven on a cookie sheet at 375 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.  Be careful when you open the packets, as the steam will rise up and give you the best smell of delicious salmon you have ever smelled.  Serve it with fresh veggies and enjoy.
Easy, delicious and healthy meal. 

We're waiting.....

Well spring is almost here.  Can't wait for the trees to bloom and turn green again.  Kids are getting anxious for spring break, and are looking for some new treats to eat.   Here is an easy recipe for Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies.    They are really easy and fun to make.  Have the kids help.  See the recipe below.

1 family size package regular oreo cookies

1 jar of smooth peanut butter (use as much as needed)

1 box brownie mix (9x13) size

Bake 350 for 20 minutes

Bakes about 24 brownies

Line cupcake tins with papers.   Prepare brownie mix as stated on box.  Layer one oreo with peanut butter and lay another oreo on top.  Add peanut butter to that cookie and place the "decker" into cupcake cups.

After you have filled all cups with cookies and peanut butter,  with a spoon,  pour brownie mix on cookies an allow it to dribble down the sides of the cookies. 

Bake and enjoy!!!

Coconut Shrimp

Mardi Gras is just around the corner and then comes lent.  Here's a great, easy coconut shrimp recipe that your family will love.  They are not fried,  they are baked. 

  You will need raw shrimp, devained and peeled.  Coconut, cornstarch, salt, pepper and 2 egg whites.

Brush a 9x13 pan with a little oil.   Clean and pat dry your shrimp (approx 1 lb).  Slightly beat 2 egg whites.
Toast 1 cup coconut for 8 min in 400 degree oven.  Mix together the coconut - 1 - cup, cornstarch - 1/4 cup, 2 T sugar, salt and pepper.   Dip the shrimp into the egg whites and then into the coconut mixture.  Lay in single layer in pan.  Bake about 15 minutes at 400 degrees.  Serve with a pineapple cream dip and enjoy.  1/4 c crushed pineapple drained, 1/2 cup mayonaise.  Mix together and serve.

I served it with mashed potatoes and fresh tomatoes and olives.  Something different to try!  Enjoy!  

New Year 2013

A new year has come and one month is already gone!  I haven't posted since Thanksgiving....wow,  I have been really busy baking and cooking!    I will start posting now every other day and keep everyone up to date with new recipes and photos.  Glad to be back....