Switching Gears

OK, so for those of you that know me in real life, you know that since my last post here my life has changed a bit. 

More specifically, my eating has changed.  A lot. 

I'm now pretty firmly into eating whole foods instead of processed, which is in large part why this blog has floundered. 

But it hit me recently...why not just switch gears so it reflects where I'm at now?

I'll leave the older recipes as they are some family favorites, but moving forward I'm going to mostly put healthy alternatives.

As per before, this will be a collection of recipes.  Where known, I'll give credit where credit is due if I know the source. 

Oatmeal Banana Coconut Cookies

So the other day I needed to use up some banana's and didn't have chocolate chips handy to make my standby Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies (http://attempsatedible.blogspot.com/2013/02/banana-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies.html)..so I improvised.  The result came out so well that the kids (and I, if I'm being honest)at the whole batch within 24 hours.  I figured that was worthy of a share here.

 

 

What you will need:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 brown sugar
• 3 very ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup softened salted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 3/4 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Beat sugars with butter, cream until smooth and creamy, add in mashed bananas and egg in a large bowl. Sift together the dry ingredients, I just add it all to a bowl and stir it with a whisk. Pour into butter mixture, mix till combined and add in coconut. Drop by spoonfulls onto un-greased parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 10 mins or until light brown at 400 degrees. Remove cool on wire rack, and enjoy!:)

The original Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip cookie recipe was from  www.momwhats4dinner.com. 
 

Marinated Baked Pork Chops

This recipe and the photo are from allrecipes.com. 

These were pretty good.  I like the balance of tangy and sweet. 

Ingredients

Original recipe makes 6 servings.        

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

1 tablespoon soy sauce                                                                     

2 tablespoons vegetable oil                                                                     

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce                                                                     

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons ketchup

6 pork chops

 

 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a small bowl, thoroughly blend soy sauce, vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, and ketchup.
3. Place pork chops in a medium baking dish, and spread with 1/2 the sauce.
4. Bake pork chops 30 minutes* in the preheated oven. Turn, and spread with remaining sauce. Continue baking 30 minutes, or until internal temperature of the chops has reached 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

 

*I amended the baking times to suit the thickness of my chops.

Shepherd's Pie

I'm finally posting again...and it's for shepherd's pie.  My teenage self would find that comical as I loathed Shepherds Pie growing up.  I like it more now (acquired taste?), and as a mom I also like that it recycles leftover mashed potatoes and is made with things I typically keep on hand.

This recipe and photo are from About.com and can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/lhgg4yb

Both the image and (most) of the text will be borrowed from there.

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup with roasted garlic

1 tsp. dried marjoram leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

3 cups refrigerated mashed potatoes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In heavy skillet cook ground beef and onion until beef is brown and onion is tender, stirring to break up meat, about 10 minutes. Drain well. Stir in vegetables and soup and cook until hot, about 4 minutes, then add marjoram and salt and pepper to taste.
Place in 9 inch pie plate. Spoon mashed potatoes over hot meat mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-45 minutes until potatoes are golden brown and pie is bubbling.

Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

My SIL made these when they came over one holiday and they earned their name.  They will be one of Cookie Monsters cookies at the upcoming birthday party my husband loved them so much.

The recipe and photo are straight off the package of Quaker Oats and can also be found here: http://www.quakeroats.com/cooking-and-recipes/content/recipes/recipe-detail.aspx?recipeid=474

Ingredients:

1/2  cup (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened

3/4  cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2  cup granulated sugar

2  eggs

1  teaspoon vanilla

1-1/2  cups all-purpose flour

1  teaspoon baking soda

1  teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2  teaspoon salt (optional)

3  cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

1  cup raisins

Preparation:

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well.

 

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time Time: 8 min

Variations:

Bar Cookies: Press dough onto bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered. 24 BARS.

VARIATIONS: Stir in 1 cup chopped nuts. Substitute 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or candy-coated chocolate pieces for raisins; omit cinnamon. Substitute 1 cup diced dried mixed fruit. HIGH

ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Increase flour to 1-3/4 cups and bake as directed.

Ordered his birthday cake!

The cake was ordered from the Second Street Baking Co in Turners Falls, MA.  It will basically be this cake, except with Grover and blue writing. 

Link to the FB page where I got this from: https://www.facebook.com/pages/2nd-Street-Baking-Co/114697713555

Easy Sesame Chicken

photo and recipe from
http://oneorganicmama.blogspot.com/2013/07/easy-sesame-chicken.html?showComment=1373970853394#c8418702116586923226
 

Chicken: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs 1 cup of flour ½ tsp paprika Salt and pepper 1 tsp sesame oil Olive oil to coat the pan Sauce: ¼ cup of honey 1 tsp sesame oil 2 tsp sesame seeds ½ tsp paprika Sprinkle of red pepper flake Salt and pepper

Chop up chicken thighs into even small, half inch pieces.  Mix flour with paprika and salt and pepper.  Coat chicken.  Fry in pan with oil at medium heat.  When chicken is browned and deliciously crispy, drain oil from pan and set pan aside. Mix up the sauce. Scrape sauce into pan, put back on the burner, and just heat through and coat chicken. Serve sprinkled with a bit more sesame seeds. No MSG, no mystery meat, just delicious sesame chicken!

Patriotic Cheesecake Parfaits

We live about a bazillion miles from family right now, and I'm getting excited about my brother visiting for Independence Day.  Here is a dessert idea for his visit.



Recipe and photo are from here:
http://www.becomingmartha.com/2013/05/patriotic-cheesecake-and-meringue.html

To make this, you will need...

• 2 pkg. of cream cheese (8 oz)
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1 pkg fat free vanilla instant pudding (4 serving size)
• 1 cup whipping cream
• meringues (buy them already made, or follow a recipe like this one)
• berries (I used strawberries for Canada Day and added blueberries for 4th of July)

Start my beating the cream cheese.  Then, slowly beat in the milk.  Add the pudding mix.  Then, transfer to another bowl (if you are using a stand mixer, or grab a new bowl if you are using a hand mixer), and whip your cream.  Once the cream is whipped, reserve about 3/4 cup for garnishing and then carefully FOLD the remainder into the cream cheese mixture.  Make sure to fold, and not stir or beat, because you don't want to lose the air you just whipped into your cream.

To layer, I started with cream cheese mixture, then crumbled meringues, then berries.  I added another layer of meringue and cream cheese mixture, and then topped it with a dollop of whipped cream. I added some berries to garnish the top as well.

Salmon with Brown Sugar and Mustard Glaze

Credit to Martha Stewart, see link below

I'm starting a new label (see below and sidebar).  It's called, "ones to try when he's deployed".  You see, my husband likes fish...but can't stand the smell of it in the house.  Sooo, I can't so much as sauté shrimp without hearing about it.  I LOVE salmon though and the sweet zing of this one sounds interesting.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard
• 1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 side salmon (about 3 pounds), skin removed, cut into 8 fillets
• 1 bunch watercress (about 3/4 pound), thick stems trimmed
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges, for serving

Directions

1. Heat broiler, with rack in top position. In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add shallot and cook, stirring often until softened, 3 minutes. Add vinegar and cook until slightly evaporated, 1 minute. Add mustard and brown sugar; stir until warm and combined, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat. (To store, refrigerate cooled glaze in an airtight container, up to 1 day.)
2. Place salmon fillets on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Transfer 1/2 cup glaze to a small dish and brush on top of salmon. Broil salmon until glaze is bubbling and fish is opaque throughout, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness; brush remaining glaze over fillets. Serve salmon along with watercress and lemon wedges.

Both the image and this recipe are from Martha Stewart and can be found here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/344987/salmon-with-brown-sugar-and-mustard-glaz?czone=food%252Fdinner-tonight-center%252Fdinner-tonight-main-courses&crlt.pid=camp.6YisakUb4kTu

Berry Patriotic Pie

This image and recipe are from:
http://www.reddiwip.com/recipes-Berry-Patriotic-Pie-2648.html

I was looking through a coupon flyer at the Commissary and found this recipe in with coupons for some of the key ingredients.  Seemed like a pretty easy recipe, and heaven knows we always have strawberries and blueberries on hand these days, so I decided to give it a shot.  Mine didn't come out as pretty as the one pictured above, but it still was decent.  This would be a relatively easy chilled pie to throw together for a Memorial Day gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 5 tablespoons water, divided
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 package (8 oz) of cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 baked pastry shell (9 inch), cooled
• Whipped topping (obviously the original source recommends Reddi-Wip)
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Directions

1. Slice enough of the strawberries to measure 2 cups. Halve remaining strawberries; set aside. Combine sliced strawberries, granulated sugar and 3 tablespoons of the water in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer 3 minutes.
2. Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons water and cornstarch until blended in small bowl. Add to strawberry mixture; mix well. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in strawberry halves. Cover and cool 30 minutes without stirring.
3. Beat cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and milk in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Spread onto bottom of pastry shell. Top with strawberry mixture; cover. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
4. Cut pie into 8 slices. Completely cover each slice with whipped topping and blueberries just before serving.

Jello Shots!

 

This is totally cut and pasted from something a friend shared on Facebook.

(Link to post I saw)

1 *JAGER BOMB* boil 1 cup red ...bull (in place of water), add black cherry or orange jello, 1 cups jager.

2 *MARGARITA* boil 1 cup water, add 3 oz pkg lime jello, 4 oz tequila, 4 oz sweet & sour margarita mix. sprinkle with salt just before firm.
(substitue watermelon jello for lime for a melon margarita)

3 *RUM & COKE boil 1 cups coke, mix in dark cherry jello add 1 cups light rum

4 *MIMOSAS* this one varies from the normal method Since champagne isn't as strong as liquor, cut the water out of this one. boil one cup champagne, mix orange jello 2 min, add one more cup champagne and a splash of OJ.

5 *SILK* Boil one cup champagne, mix in jello for 2 minutes, add one cup champagne and splash of lychee juice from the can.

6 *ORANGE TIC TAC* Boil two cups red bull, mix jello two minutes, add two cups mandarin orange vodka

7 *LEMON DROP* (boil 1 cup water, add lemon jello, citrus vodka, top with sugar sprinkles just before its fully set up)

8 *GRAPE CRUSH* (boil 1 cups water, add grape jello, 1/2 cup plain vodka, 1/2 cup chambord)

9 *HAWAIIAN* (boil 1 cup water, add pineapple or blueberry jello, 1 cup coconut rum)

10 *GIN & TONIC* (boil 1 cup tonic water, add lime jello, 1 cup gin)

11 *LEMON LIME* (boil 2 cups sprite, add lemon and lime jellos, 2 cups citrus vodka)

12 *BLUEBERRY* (boil 1 cup water, add blueberry jello, 1 cup blueberry vodka)

13 *FRUIT PUNCH* (boil 1 cups water, add mixed fruit jello, 1/2 cup blueberry vodka, 1/2 cup raspberry vodka)

14 *WATERMELON* (boil 1 cup water, add watermelon jello,1 cup watermelon vodka)

15 *BEER* (boil 1 cups water, add strawberry jello, add 1 cup any malt liquor)

16 *CARIBBEAN* (boil 1 cup water, add strawberry-banana jello, Cruzan banana rum

17 *CHERRY COLA* (boil 1 cup coke, add cherry jello, 1 cup cold cola, 1/2 cup amaretto, 1/2 cup spiced rum)

18 *DREAMSICLE* (boil 1 1/3 cup water & 2/3 cup OJ, add orange jello, 1 cup vanilla vodka 1/2 cup raspberry or berry vodka, 1/2 cup KeKe Beach Key Lime Cream Liqueur)

19 *LIME IN THE COCONUT* (boil 1 cup water, add watermelon jello, 1 cup Malibu Coconut Rum)

20 *RED HOTS* (boil 2 cups water, add jello, 1/2 cup cold water, 2 cups Cinnamon Schnapps)

21 **SEX ON THE BEACH** boil 1 cup cranberry juice, add 3 oz pkg orange jello, 3 oz peach schnapps, 5 oz vodka

22 ***SOUR APPLE*** (in microwavable container, mix 1 small box sour apple jello, 1 pkg knox gelatin and 1 tbs sugar. Stir in 1 cup Mt. Dew and mix well. Microwave on high for 1 min. Stir until powder is dissolved. Mix 2 cups vodka & 3/4 cup Captain Morgan Coconut Rum. mix well and let sit 1 min. pour into cups and refrigerate.)

23 *SQUIRM* (boil 2 1/4 cup water, add 3 small pkgs any flavor jello, 2 cups vodka, 3/4 cup ice cold water. add 1 gummy worm to each shot before firm.

24 *CARIBOU LOU* (1/2 cup boiling water 1/2 cup pineapple juice boiled, add pineapple jello, 1/2 cup Malibu Rum, 1/2 cup Triplesec)

25 *JOLLY RANCHER* (boil 1 cup water, add melon jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup apple pucker)

26 *PURPLE PEOPLE EATER* (boil 1 cup water, add grape jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup watermelon pucker)

27 *BAHAMA MAMA* (boil 1 cup water, add watermelon jello, 1/2 cup Malibu rum, 1/2 cup peach schnapps)

28 *COSMOPOLITAN* (boil 1 cup water with a splash of lime juice, add cranberry jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup triple sec)

29 *CHERRY BOMB* (boil 1 cup redbull, add cherry jello, 1 cup vodka and drop in one maraschino cherry, step up before firmed.)

30 *BLUE FIRECRACKER* (boil 1 cup water, add berry blue jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup peach schnapps)

31 *WHITE LIGHTNING* (boil 1 cup water, add pina colada jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup triple sec)

32*FUZZY NAVEL* (boil 1 cup water, add 3 oz orange jello, 2 oz vodka, 6 oz peach schnapps

33 *RED HEADED SLUT* boil 1 cup water, add cranberry jello, 1/2 cup peach schnapps, 1/2 cup jager

34 *MOJITO* (1 cup boiling water, 3 oz box lime jello, 6 oz white rum, 2 oz cold water. top with mint leaves chopped and crushed. (or substitue mint leaves with a splash of mint extract in the the boiling water.)

35 *STRAWBERRY DAQUIRI* (boil 1 cup water, add 3 oz package wild strawberry jello, 6 oz white rum, 1 oz sweet & sour or margarita mix.

36 *DEVILS KISS* 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 envelope of Knox Gelatin and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Goldschlager, and 1/4 cup of Bacardi-151. Stir well and wait until the liquid has cooled before pouring into jello shot cups. if you double up the Knox Gelatin in this one you can eliminate the cup serve these up as jigglers!!

37 *ANKLE BREAKER* 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 envelope of Lime Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of 151 Rum, and 1/4 cup of Cherry Brandy. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

38 *FIRECRACKER 2* 3/4 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Orange Jello and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/3 cup of Sloe Gin , and 1/3 cup of Spiced Rum and 1/3 cup of 151 Rum. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cup

39 **KOMANIWANALAYA** 2 cups of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Pineapple Jello and 1 box of Cranberry Jello (both 3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Amaretto, and 1/2 cup of 151 Rum. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

40 *RAIN MAIN* 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Orange Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Bacardi 151, and 1/4 cup of Melon Liqueur. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups

41 ADAM AND EVE 3/4 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Lemon Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Brandy, and 1/4 cup of Pomogranate Liqueur and 1/4 cup of Gin. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

42 ALABAMA SLAMMER 3/4 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 package of Lemon Jello (3 oz) and stir until everything is completely dissolved and then add 1/3 cup of coldwater. Next, add 1/3 cup of Amaretto, 1/4 cup of Southern Comfort, and 1/3 cup of Sloe Gin. Mix throuroughly until everything is well combined and the carefully pour into jello shot cups. Chill for 3 to 4 hours and serve.

43 ALL NIGHTER 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Cherry Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water and 1/2 cup of Watermelon Vodka. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

44 APPLE PIE 1 1/2 cups ofboiling water. Dissolve 2 boxes of Lemon Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Light Rum, 1/2 cup of Sweet Vermouth, 1/4 cup of Apple Brandy and 1/4 cup ofGrenadine. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

45 BANANA BOAT 1 cup of water. Dissolve 1 box of Pineapple Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Coconut Rum , and 1/4 cup ofBanana Liqueur. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

46 BANANA SPLIT 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Strawberry Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Vodka, and 1/4 cup ofBanana Liqueur and 1/4 cup of Creme de Cacao. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

47 BAT OUT OF HELL 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 package of Orange Jello (3 oz) and stir for at least 2 minutes until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of Red Bull, 1/4 cup of Rumand 1/4 Blue Curacao. Stir until well combined and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

48 BERMUDA TRIANGLE 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Orange Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Spiced Rum and 1/4 cup of Peach Schnapps. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot

49 BLACK CAT 1 cup of boilingwater. Dissolve 1 package of Raspberry Jello (3 oz) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Black Vodka, and 1/4 cup of Chambord. Stir well and wait until the liquid is about room temperature before pouring into jello shot cups.

50 BLACK WIDOW 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 package of Grape Jello (3 oz) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 3/4 cup of Blackberry Vodka and 1/8 teaspoon of Ginger Powder. Stir well and cool slightly before pouring into jello shot cups. For a schnazzy garnish, drop a singleblackberry in each cup before chilling

51 COUGH DROP 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 3 oz package of Strawberry Jello and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Jagermeister. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

52 CRYPTINI 1 cup of HotCoffee. Dissolve 1 envelope of Knox Gelatin and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/3 cup of Iced Coffee, 1/3 cup of Vodka, and 1/3 cup of Kahlua. Stir well and wait until the liquid has cooled before pouring into jello shot cups.

53 FRENCH TICKLER 1 cup of boilingwater. Dissolve 1 package of Orange Jello (3 oz) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Cinnamon Schnappsand 1/2 cup of Vodka. Stir well and wait until the liquid has a chance to cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

54 HARVEY WALLBANGER 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 package of Orange Jello (3 oz) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Vodka and 1/4 cup ofGalliano. Stir well until completely combined and wait until the liquid has cooled before pouring into jello shot cups.

55 JUICY FRUIT 3/4 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Pineapple Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/3 cup of Vodka, and 1/3 cup ofMelon Liqueur and 1/3 cup of Peach Schnapps. Stir well and cool

56 JAGERMASTER 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Orange Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Jagermeister, and 1/4 cup of Amaretto, and a just a splash of Grenadine. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

57 JAGERMONSTER 1 cup of boiling water . Dissolve 1 package of Orange Jello and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water , 1/2 cup of Jagermeister, and 1/4 cup of Grenadine. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

58 LETHAL INJECTION 2 cups of boiling water. Dissolve 1 package of Orange Jello (3 oz) and 1 package ofPineapple Jello (3 oz) and stir at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water followed by 1/4 cup of Amaretto, 1/4 cup of Coconut Rum, 1/4 cup of Dark Rum and 1/4 cup of Spiced Rum. Stir well and wait until the liquid has cooled before pouring intojello shot cups.

59 LONG ISLAND ICED TEA and measure 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 2 packages of Lemon Jello (3 oz) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of Cola and 1/2 cup of cold water. Now get ready to add the alcohol - 1/2 cup of Gin, 1/2 cup of LightRum, 1/2 cup of Vodka and 1/2 cup of Tequila. Stir until everything is well combined and let it cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

60 NINJA TURTLE 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Orange Jello and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Gin, and 1/4 cup of Blue Curacao. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

61 PAIN KILLER 3/4 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Pineapple Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of cold water, 1/3 cup of Dark Rum, 1/3 cup ofCoconut Rum and 1/3 cup of Orange Liqueur. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

62 PIXIE STIX 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Lemon Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Southern Comfort, and 1/4 cup of Blackberry Brandy. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

63 RED SILK PANTIES 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Cranberry Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Vodka, and 1/4 cup ofPeach Schnapps. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

64 KINKY MALIBU BARBIE Boil 1 cup water, add peach jello, 1/2 cup Kinky Liquer, 1/2 cup Malibu Coconut Rum.

65 Killer Kool Aid 1 1/2 cups of boiling water. Dissolve 2 boxes of Cranberry Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 3/4 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Vodka, 1/2 cup of Gin, 1/4 cup of Rum, 1/4 cup of Chambord and 1/4 cup of Triple Sec. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

66 Broken Heart 1 cup of boiling water . Dissolve 1 package of of Orange Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Vodka, and 1/4 cup of Chambord. Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

67 SCOOBY SNACKS 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 1 box of Pineapple Jello (3 oz size) and stir until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/4 cup of Melon Liqueur, and 1/4 cup of Coconut Rum . Stir well and cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

68 TIJUANA TAXI 2 cup of boiling water. Dissolve 2 packages ofLemon Jello (3 oz size) and stir at least 2 minutes until fully dissolved.Next, add 1 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of Tequila, 1/4 cup of Blue Caracao and 1/4 cup of Tropical Fruit Schnapps. Stir until completely combined and give it a chance to cool before pouring into jello shot cups.

69 RUMMY BEARS 1 cup boiling water, add any random flavor jello and 1 cup berry vodka, 1 gummy bear in the center of each shot.

70 WOOWOO 2 cups boiling water, add 3 pkgs grape jello, 3 pkgs cranberry/raspberry jello, 3 pkgs strawberry jello, 3 cups vodka, 3 cups peach schnapps, 1 can grape juice concentrate and 1 can cran-raspberry juice concentrate (both undiluted!)

 

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Photo and recipe from Kraftrecipes.com

What You Need

1-1/2lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1pkg. (14 oz.) frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained

(can sub 16oz frozen green beans if desired)

1-1/2 cups KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 tub (10 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Savory Garlic Cooking Creme

1/2 cup milk

24 RITZ Crackers, crushed (about 1 cup)

1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Make It

HEAT oven to 400ºF.
COMBINE first 5 ingredients in 13x9-inch baking dish; cover.
BAKE 25 min. Meanwhile, mix cracker crumbs and butter.
STIR chicken mixture; top with crumbs. Bake, uncovered, 10 min. or until topping is golden brown.     

Nutrition Info:
Serves 6
400 cal
20g fat
3g fiber

Irish Coffee Brownie Cupcakes

Recipe and image from:
http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/irish_coffee_brownie_cupcakes/

 

 

Servings: 16 cupcakes
           

Ingredients

Brownie Ingredients:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt

Cupcake Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk
1 cup whole roasted coffee beans
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ¼ cup sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup whiskey
Brownie batter from above

Frosting Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese
¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons whiskey

Directions

Brownie Directions:
In a medium-sized bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Mix in eggs and vanilla until thoroughly combined.

Mix in cocoa powder, flour, and salt until just combined.
Set aside.

Cupcake Directions:
In a small saucepan on medium-high, heat milk and coffee beans until just boiling.

Remove from heat, cover, and steep for fifteen minutes.

Using a sieve, remove the beans from the milk and set the milk aside. You will only need ¾ cup of the milk, so it’s fine if some sticks to the beans during this process.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

In a separate medium-sized bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs to the butter/sugar mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.

In a small bowl, mix together whiskey and ¾ cup of the coffee-infused milk.

Alternately mix wet ingredients and dry ingredients into the butter/sugar bowl, mixing until just combined.

Fill cupcake liners ¾ full with cupcake batter.

Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of brownie batter into the center of each cupcake.

Bake for 25 minutes or until cupcakes bounce back when lightly touched.

Frosting Directions:
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.

Mix in powdered sugar a little bit at a time until fully combined.

Mix in cocoa powder and whiskey.

Spread or pipe onto cooled cupcakes. Use Wilton tip 106 for the piping style shown in the photos.

Eggnog Crumb Cake with Spiced Rum Glaze

(image and recipe from Homeade by Holman, link in sidebar)

Cake:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2/3 cup Greek yogurt (I used vanilla because it's what I had but you could also use plain)
1 1/3 cups eggnog
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 1/2 cups cake flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Crumb Topping:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 3/4 cups cake flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Glaze:
2 T eggnog
2 T spiced rum
2 T unsalted butter, melted
1 - 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

For the cake, preheat oven to 325 degrees and spray 2 regular loaf pans or 4 mini loaf pans with baking spray or butter and flour.

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes on medium speed. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated and then mix in yogurt. In a measuring cup, combine eggnog and vanilla extract. In another bowl, combine nutmeg, cinnamon, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and whisk or sift to mix. Alternate additions of 1/3 of the flour mixture with 1/2 of the eggnog mixture, mixing until each addition is just incorporated, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

Divide batter evenly among pans and set aside while you prepare the crumb topping.

For the topping, combine sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cake flour in a mixing bowl. Pour in melted butter and stir with a fork, pastry cutter, or your hands until the mixture forms a crumbly topping. Evenly spread over prepared cake batter.

Baking will take 30-35 minutes for 4 mini loaves and about 40-45 minutes for 2 regular loaves, the cake is done when a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. If necessary cover with foil if the topping starts to brown before the cake is set.

Once cakes are removed from the oven, allow to cool fully before topping with the glaze. To make the glaze, whisk together eggnog, rum, and butter in a bowl. Slowly add powdered sugar, whisking until smooth. The glaze should be about the consistency of maple syrup when you pour it over the cakes.

Crockpot Honey Apple Pork Loin

Recipe and photo from:
http://mycrossfitpaleojourney.wordpress.com/2012/07/05/crockpot-honey-apple-pork-loin/

Ingredients:
Pork Loin, 2.5-3 lbs.
Red Delicious Apples, 3 sliced
Honey, approx 4 T
Cinnamon, 2 T
Process:
Lay the apple slices (from two of the apples) in the bottom of the crockpot.

Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Cut slits in the pork loin (approx 1/2″-3/4″).
Drizzle some honey into the slits.
Then place apple slices into the slits.

Place the pork loin into the crockpot.
Drizzle the top with the remainder of the honey.
Place the rest of the apples on top.

Then sprinkle the whole thing with cinnamon.

Cook on low for 7 hours.
For more flavor, you may poke holes in the pork. Then place the pork loin in a bag with honey and cinnamon and marinate it overnight.

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tried this one 2/25/13.  Delish!

This entire recipe is from the website shown above

What you will need:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 brown sugar
• 3 very ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 3/4 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Beat sugars with butter, cream until smooth and creamy, add in mashed bananas and egg in a large bowl. Sift together the dry ingredients, I just add it all to a bowl and stir it with a whisk.Pour into butter mixture, mix till combined and add in chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfulls onto un-greased parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 10 mins or until light brown at 400 degrees. Remove cool on wire rack, and enjoy!:)

Mint Chocolate Delights

I first found this recipe on a bag of Mint Chocolate Chips that I found at the Commissary. Yum! I'm c&p it from a place I found it online

(http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/143925/mint-chocolate-delights/detail.aspx)

Mint Chocolate Delights

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoonvanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 325° F.

COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by well-rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 11 to 13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

FOR MINI MINT CHOCOLATE DELIGHT COOKIES: Prepare dough as above. Drop by well-rounded measuring teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set. Makes about 7 dozen mini cookies.

Artichoke & Spinach Swirls

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. (17.3 ounces) Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 pkg. (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
• 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke heart, drained and chopped
  
  
  Directions
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F.  Stir the mayonnaise, cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, spinach and artichoke hearts in a medium bowl.
  2. Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Spreadhalf the spinach mixture on the pastry to within 1 inch of the edge. Roll up like a jelly roll.  Press the seam to seal.  Repeat with the remaining pastry sheet.
  3. Cut each roll into 20 (1/2-inch) slices, making 40 in all.  Place the slices, cut-side down, onto 3 baking sheets.
  4. Bake for 15 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Remove the pastries from the baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

recipe and image from:

http://www.puffpastry.com/recipe/27219/artichoke-and-spinach-swirls  

                                     

Appetizer Idea

Cherry tomatoes and black olives make really cute lady birds. Base is made up of sliced bagettes, cream cheese, smoked salmon and flat leafed parsley. Sprinkle ground black pepper on tomato and using a toothpick dot some cream cheese on the olives for the eyes.

This was from a friends Facebook.  No idea where she got the image from.